ICC Women World Cup: Top Five Knocks

#2 Chamari Atapattu - 178 runs off 143 balls. Vs Australia, June 29

Chamari Atapattu: The One Woman Army

The world champions Australia took on a struggling Sri Lanka at Bristol on 29th June. Until the 34th over, the game looked a cakewalk for Australia as they had reduced Sri Lanka to 130 for six. But then Chamari Atapattu happened.

The left-hand batter launched a counterattack against what is arguably the best bowling unit in women cricket and shattered every bowler. She scored her hundred off 106 balls and then trashed Gardner for 12 runs and Bolton for 11 runs in an over.

The best display of her batting came in the 46th over. She launched Schutt for a massive six over the sight screen and one ball later smashed a four down the ground. On the next ball, a thick edge produced a boundary and the over ended with 15 runs.

The Sri Lankan batter drilled two consecutive sixes against Beams to help Sri Lank reach 250 and stayed not out till the end of 50 overs to score178 runs off just 143 balls. The second highest score in the team was 24 runs. Atapattu scored 69.26% of all runs scored by Sri Lanka, a record in women cricket and also smashed 124 boundary runs, another record.

With no support from the other end and playing against a quality bowling attack, Atapattu produced one of the finest innings in international cricket. There was power, patience, and incredible skills that single handedly demolished Australia.

However, the score of 257 proved inadequate, as Australia completed the chase in the 43rd over.