Australia Women 8 for 282 (Haynes 118, Healy 69, Kulasuriya 3-50) beat Sri Lanka Women 9 for 172 (Jonassen 4-32) by 110 runs
A maiden international century from Rachael Haynes was the starring performance in Australia’s 110-run victory in the second ODI against Sri Lanka to put them 2-0 up in the series.
Haynes’ 118 off 132 balls formed the cornerstone of Australia’s 8 for 282 although that was a lower total than appeared likely for large parts of the innings as Sri Lanka fought back at the death. Haynes and Alyssa Healy added 116 in 19 overs for the first wicket then Haynes put on 103 with Meg Lanning (43) but from 1 for 219 the last ten overs brought 6 for 63.
Sri Lanka started the chase better than the opening game and at 1 for 95 in the 23rd over had a glimmer of putting some pressure on Australia, but on a slow pitch where it was difficult to force the pace they couldn’t keep up with the require rate. Jess Jonassen took 4 for 31 which included her 100th in ODIs, the fourth Australian to reach that landmark, as Australia secured a record-equalling 17th ODI win on the bounce to match the mark set by Belinda Clark’s team from 1997 to 1999 and it also gave them an unassailable lead in the Women’s Championship.
On a surface being used for the second time in three days, Australia batted first and after some early caution were making strong progress through Healy and Haynes. Healy sprinted to her fifty off 44 balls and appeared set for a big score before falling to Sri Lanka captain Shashikala Siriwardene who again bowled her ten overs tidily for 2 for 41.
As the pitch continued to wear Australia weren’t allowed to completely cut loose and Sri Lanka built some pressure as Haynes approached her hundred which helped account for Lanning when she edged a drive off the impressive Achini Kulasuriya. Haynes brought up her century off 120 balls with a cut for four, surpassing her previous highest international score of 98 which she made on Test debut in 2009.
However, the last ten overs only brought three further boundaries – a six from Ash Gardner and two fours by Beth Mooney – with Sri Lanka striking regularly.
Jonassen provided Australia with the key early breakthrough when Chamari Atapattu top edged a sweep which was well judged at deep square by debutant Heather Graham. Anushka Sanjeewani and Harshitha Madavi played nicely in a second-wicket stand of 70 although it always felt the required rate was out of reach.
Nicola Carey broke through and Australia’s spinners kept control of the middle overs. Georgia Wareham was more accurate than the opening match and claimed 2 for 29 from 10 overs. Jonassen’s 100th wicket came trapping Sugandika Kumari lbw sweeping and there was time for Graham to take her first when Kulasuriya chipped up a leading edge.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo