Chamari Athapaththu claims No.1 batter ranking of ICC Women’s ODI Cricket

Sri Lanka Women’s National Cricket team captain Chamari Athapaththu has been ranked No.1 in the latest ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings.

Chamari Athapaththu scored two match winning centuries in Sri Lanka’s 2-1 series win over New Zealand women which contributed Athapaththu become the first Sri Lankan woman to top the women’s ODI rankings, joining male compatriot Sanath Jayasuriya as the only two players from Sri Lanka to have held the No.1 spot in the history of the ODI rankings.

She scored an unbeaten 108 in the first ODI, before smashing 140 not out off just 80 deliveries in the rain affected third ODI in which Sri Lanka were set a revised target of 196 in 29 overs, leading the way for Sri Lanka to beat New Zealand in international cricket for the first time.

Athapaththu smashed nine massive sixes during her quickfire knock, combining with teammate Nilakshi de Silva to record Sri Lanka’s highest ever partnership in women’s ODIs when putting on 190 runs for the third wicket.

Chamari Athapaththu moved up six places in the ranking, taking top spot for Australia’s Beth Mooney.

There was some joy for New Zealand despite the series loss, with skipper Sophie Devine jumping six places to 13th overall on the list for ODI batters on the back of her 194 runs for the series and experienced seamer Lea Tahuhu moving up three spots to equal 14th on the ODI bowler rankings following her five wickets over the three matches.