Australia women stitch together world-record winning streak in ODIs
Australia women surged to a clinical win over Sri Lanka women by nine wickets at Brisbane in the third and final ODI of the series. After stopping the visiting side for 195/8 in 50 overs, Australian openers did the bulk of the scoring and lost only one wicket while crossing the finish line. The 18th consecutive ODI win for Australia is now a world record. They surpassed their best streak of 17 wins during 1997-99.
Atapattu wages a lone battle
Opening batswoman Chamari Atapattu stuck to the task while other Sri Lankans returned to the pavilion one by one. Her heroic 103 from 124 balls stood out from the rest. Next highest contributor in Sri Lanka’s innings was Harshitha Madavi who scored 24. Atapattu fell in the penultimate over as the visitors finished with 195/8 in 50 overs.
Healy and Haynes steal the show
Alyssa Healy continued her sterling run with the bat. The wicketkeeper smashed 112 runs in just 76 balls which included 15 fours and two sixes. She remained unbeaten till the completion of the chase. Rachael Haynes provided great support with 63. Captain Meg Lanning then finished the game with her 11-ball 20 as Australia secured a nine-wicket win.
The record streak
The victory over Sri Lanka was 18th consecutive ODI win for Australia women. They broke their own record of 17 ODI wins which they had enjoyed from Dec 1997 to Feb 1999. Their current streak began with three victories over India at Vadodara in March 2018. They then defeated Pakistan, New Zealand, England, West Indies and now Sri Lanka. Impressively, only six of these 18 victories have come at home.
Healy wins it with a SIX!
That’s win No.18 in a row for our Aussies ??
Scores: https://t.co/TLk2eeoNPx #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/WKJms9vf0M
— Australian Women’s Cricket Team ? (@AusWomenCricket) October 9, 2019
The immediate challenge in front of the Australian women cricketers will be Women’s Big Bash League. The team will regroup and aim for the record of 21 consecutive wins held by Australia men.
