Sri Lankan skipper Samari Atapattu has been rewarded for her fine recent form by becoming the new No. 1 batsman in the latest MRF Tires ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings.
On the back of his impressive series against New Zealand, Atabathu from Australia’s opener Beth Mooney scored a three-match total of 248, including 140* off 80 balls. .
It was the first time Sri Lanka had beaten New Zealand in a bilateral women’s ODI series, and it was on the back of runs from their inspirational captain in Athapatu.
The 33-year-old’s unbeaten 108* in the opener of the three-match series and a first-ball duck in the second clash did little to dampen the left-hander’s aggressiveness, which is believed to be a series decider.
Adapatu hit nine massive sixes during his quick streak as he piled on 190 runs for the third wicket.
This helped Athaphat become the first Sri Lankan woman to top the women’s ODI rankings, joining male compatriot Sanath Jayasuriya as the only two players from the island nation to hold the No. 1 ranking in ODI history.
Despite the series loss, New Zealand were a bit happier as captain Sophie Devin scored 194 to climb six places in the ODI batsmen’s list to 13th overall. ODI bowler rankings after taking five wickets in three matches.
There was some movement following the conclusion of the three-match ODI series between the West Indies and Ireland in the Caribbean, with Stephanie Taylor (up one place to ninth) and Gabby Lewis (up five places to 21st) attracting the biggest attention. The biggest move up the list for the bowlers was the batting rankings and Shamilia Connell (up four places to 24th).
The first T20I of the ongoing Ashes series between England and Australia saw few changes in the latest T20I rankings, with in-form all-rounder Ashley Gardner moving up one place to sixth overall and earning a new career best rating in the updated list of batsmen.
England’s Sophia Dunkley has moved up four places to 16th in the same list, while spinner Sarah Glenn (up one place to third) and Jess Jonassen (up four places to 18th) have moved up in the rankings for T20 bowlers.