Sri Lanka defend 240 in Grenada as Inoka Ranaweera’s 4-44 headlines dramatic 10-run victory

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Sri Lanka Women edged out West Indies Women by ten runs in a nail-biting opening ODI in St George’s, Grenada, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Defending a competitive total of 240 for 6, Sri Lanka relied on a match-winning spell from Inoka Ranaweera, whose four-wicket haul proved decisive in a tense finish.

After being asked to bat, Sri Lanka built their innings steadily through half-centuries from Hasini Perera (61 off 86) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (66 off 105). Captain Chamari Athapaththu contributed 27, while valuable middle-order runs from Nilakshika Silva and Kavisha Dilhari ensured momentum through the middle overs. A late cameo from Dewmi Vihanga, who struck 14 off just six balls, helped Sri Lanka post what turned out to be a match-winning total.

West Indies’ chase was anchored by Stafanie Taylor, who scored 66 off 83 balls, and Jannillea Glasgow, who added a composed 50 off 67. Their 89-run partnership revived the innings after early setbacks and put the hosts in a strong position heading into the final 10 overs. However, Ranaweera broke the stand at a crucial juncture, dismissing Taylor in the 40th over before later removing Shawnisha Hector to stall the late charge.

With 18 needed off the last two overs and 12 from the final six balls, the match hung in the balance. But Sri Lanka’s spin attack held its nerve. Dilhari returned figures of 3 for 49, including two wickets in the final over, as West Indies were bowled out for 230 in 49.4 overs. The victory marks Sri Lanka’s fourth win in their last five ODIs against West Indies since 2017, giving them early control in the series and reinforcing their growing dominance in women’s ODI cricket.