Chamari Athapaththu smashes 195* as Sri Lanka registers highest successful run chase in women's ODI history

Sri Lanka Women's Cricket Team scripted history on Wednesday, April 17, as they registered the highest successful run chase in women's ODI history. They achieved the feat during the third and final ODI of the three-match series against South Africa at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

Skipper Chamari Athapaththu smashed 195* off 139 balls to claim the third spot on the list of highest individual scorers in women's ODIs. It is also the the second-highest score while chasing in ODI cricket (both men and women) only behind Glenn Maxwell's 201* that the Australian scored against Afghanistan during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

While the 23-year-old New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr (232*) continues to occupy the pole position on the list of highest individual scorers in women's ODIs, former Australian cricketer Belinda Clarke (229*) is second on the list.

Chamari Athapaththu's unbeaten knock comprised 26 fours and five sixes as Sri Lanka chased down South Africa's 301 with six wickets in hand. Nilakshi de Silva too contributed with the bat during the record run chase with a 71-ball 50* knock. Eventually, Sri Lanka scored 305-4, chasing down the target in just 44.3 overs.

Earlier in the game, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt amassed the highest-ever score by a South African player in the women's ODI as she scored 184* off 147 balls, including 23 fours and four sixes. She went past Chamari Athapaththu's 178* against Australia in 2017 to register the fifth-highest score in women's ODI history.

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A successful South Africa tour for Sri Lanka

With this world record victory, the three-match ODI series ended 1-1 after the series opener, played at Buffalo Park in East London, ended in a 'no result' due to rain.

Despite losing the first game of the T20I series, Sri Lanka bounced back by registering victories in the second and third matches to clinch the series by a 2-1 margin.