Sri Lankan batter Chamari Athapaththu has etched her name in the record books by becoming the first women’s cricketer from Sri Lanka to claim the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings. This remarkable achievement comes from her sensational performances in the WODI series against New Zealand.
Athapaththu kicked off the three-match series with a brilliant unbeaten century, scoring 108 runs. Although she faced disappointment in the second game with a golden duck, she quickly bounced back in the third match. In that game, she demonstrated dominance by smashing an unbeaten 140 runs off just 80 balls. Her innings included 9 sixes and 13 fours, propelling Sri Lanka to a historic victory over New Zealand in a bilateral women’s ODI series for the first time.
With 280 runs in three matches against New Zealand, Athapaththu surpassed Australia’s Beth Mooney to claim the No.1 ODI ranking. She now joins the legendary Sanath Jayasuriya as the only two players from Sri Lanka to have held the top spot in the history of the ODI rankings.
In addition to Athapaththu’s remarkable rise, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine also significantly jumped in the rankings, climbing six to reach the 13th position among ODI batters. Devine’s consistent performances saw her accumulate 194 runs in the series, contributing to her rise in the rankings.
Shifting the focus to bowling, West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor moved up to the 9th spot after her outstanding performances in the series against Ireland. Another notable mention is Gaby Lewis from Ireland, who climbed five spots to secure the 21st rank.
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These rankings reflect the individual brilliance and impact these players have had on their respective teams. Chamari Athapaththu’s achievement not only brings pride to Sri Lankan cricket but also inspires aspiring cricketers, especially young women, in the country.
