MEG LETS FLY TO BEAT SRI LANK A
AUSTRALIA skipper Meg Lanning says she never doubted her side would chase down a record target of 258 to beat Sri Lanka and seal a second successive win at the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Lanning scored an imperious 152 not out as Australia raced to 2- 262 inside 44 overs to win by eight wickets.
However, her fine innings was overshadowed by a brilliant unbeaten 178 from Sri Lanka’s Chamari Atapattu.
Atapattu was one of only three players in her side to reach double figures, but struck the highest- ever score by a female player against Australia in a record- breaking knock that included six sixes and 22 fours.
It was also the highest proportion of runs scored by an individual in a women’s ODI.
“It was a very special innings from Atapattu,” Lanning said. “We tried all sorts of different things to slow her down and get her out but she was too good for us today.
“Some of those shots she played were incredible. It was one of the great knocks.
“We were confident of chasing it down and although they got a few more than we would have liked, with our batting line- up and a good wicket we thought we could win.
“Once we set that base, Bolts and I, we knew we’d be able to chase it down.”
New Zealand are Australia’s next opponents tomorrow, again at Bristol.