Athapaththu’s astonishing attack powers Sri Lanka to historic win

Chamari Athapaththu scored a superb century for Sri Lanka Women (Pic courtesy SLC) 

Scores:
New Zealand Women 127 for 2 in 31 overs (Amelia Kerr 19, Suzie Bates 63 n.o., Sophie Devine 38 n.o.)
Sri Lanka Women 196 for 2 in 26.5 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 140 n.o., Nilakshi de Silva 48 n.o.)

 By M. Shamil Amit

Chamari Athapaththu produced an outstanding century as Sri Lanka Women broke new ground in beating New Zealand Women 2-1 in their three-match series in Galle yesterday. 
Set a revised target of 196 in 29 overs, after a rain interruption, skipper Athapaththu almost single-handed won the match for her team, scoring 140 of those runs in just 80 deliveries, smashing 13 boundaries and nine sixes. 

Her unbroken 190-run partnership with Nilakshi de Silva, who made 48 not out, was also a record stand for any wicket for Sri Lanka. 
The hosts crossed the winning line with 13 balls to spare, and outcome that appeared unlikely after Sri Lanka were reduced to 8 for 2 in the fourth over. 
From there on, however, Athapaththu found a reliable partner in de Silva, though she was relegated to being a spectator to her captain slamming the White Fern’s bowlers, reaching her half-century in just 30 balls. 
The onslaught continued, and the 100-run mark in the partnership was bought up in the 16th over, 
Athapaththu went on to reach her ton in just 60 deliveries, getting there with a boundary.

The pair then posted the 150-run stand in the 23rd over andwith 37 runs needed from 36 balls for victory, they scored the remaining runs in just 23 balls. 
Earlier, New Zealand Women skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bat first but lost an early in the fifth over with seven runs on the board.
Suzie Bates along with Amelia Kerr steadied the innings with the pair sharing a brief stand of 46 for the second wicket before being separated with the dismissal of Kerr for 19.
Bates joined by skipper Devine was making steady progress and the pair brought the 100 runs for the visitors.
Bates reached her half ton and with New Zealand Women on 127 for 2 a heavy shower forced the match to be stopped with Bates unbeaten on 63 and skipper Devine on 38. 
When rains seized and play was ready to resume, Sri Lanka were set a revised target of 166 in 29 overs.