New format, same result for the West Indies Women as Sri Lanka continued their dominance over their Caribbean counterparts with a win in the first of three T20 Internationals in Hambantota on Monday.
Returning skipper Hayley Matthews brought some respectability back to the Windies batting but it wasn’t enough in the end as the tourists made 134-8 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the hosts.
Matthews led the way with a run-a-ball 30 while Aaliyah Alleyne also contributed with 26 off 22 balls including three fours.
Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu was excellent with the ball on her way to a career best 4-29 from her four over spell while Inoshi Priyadharshani provided excellent support with 3-28 from her four overs.
Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama then each made 35 as the Sri Lankans stuttered to their target, eventually reaching 137-6 in the 19th over.
Afy Fletcher took 2-29 from her four overs for the Windies.
This was Sri Lanka’s first win over the West Indies in T20Is since 2015. They also won the ODI series 3-0.
The second T20I takes place on Tuesday.
Full Scores:
West Indies 134 for 8 off 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 30, Chamari Athapaththu 4-29, Inoshi Priyadharshani 3-28)
Sri Lanka 137 for 6 off 18.4 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 35, Harshitha Samarawickrama 35, Fletcher 2-29)