Indian women too good for Sri Lanka

Mithali Raj and group overcome Sri Lanka women by nine wickets to go 1-0 up in the three match ICC ODI Championship.

India opener Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 73 off 76 balls to guide the visitor home.

India thrashed Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the first ODI of the three-match ICC Championship for women in Galle on Tuesday.

Electing to bat, the Islanders were dismissed for 98. They lasted 35.1 overs with medium pacer Mansi Joshi (3-16) causing most of the damage. Veteran speedster Jhulan Goswami also returned with impressive figures of 2-13.

Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with 33 (4x2). She held her ground for 93 balls but ran out of partners. Sripali Weerakkody, at No 8, helped salvage pride with a fighting 26.

India opener Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 73 off 76 balls (4x11, 6x2) to guide the visitor home.

The Sri Lankan bowlers could only dismiss Punam Raut (24 off 41 balls; 4x2) on the brink of the Indian victory.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka Women 98; C. Athapaththu 33; M Joshi 3-16 lost to India Women 100-1; S Mandhana 73; I Ranaweera 1/5 by nine wickets