Chamari Athapaththu | SA vs SL ODI | Highest chase in women's odi:
In a groundbreaking match on April 17th, the Sri Lankan women's cricket team defeated South Africa in Potchefstroom by six wickets in a stunning display of skill and determination. A monumental history was made as this was the first-ever successful chase of a 300+ target in the annals of women's cricket.
Leading the charge was Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu, whose spectacular innings of 195 runs is now the third highest score in women's ODI cricket. Facing 139 balls, she smashed 26 fours and five sixes, hauling the team over the line in just 44.3 overs. Athapaththu's century, her ninth in ODIs, came off 78 balls, ending the match with a six that cemented her place in cricket history.
Earlier, South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt had played an exceptional innings of 184 runs not out off 147 balls, her efforts including 23 fours and 4 sixes. Despite this, the formidable total of 301 runs set by South Africa could not be defended by their bowlers.
Sri Lanka eclipses Australia's record
Sri Lanka not only became the first team in women's ODI to chase a target exceeding 300 runs but also surpassed Australia's record for the biggest successful chase in the format, which was set at 289 runs against New Zealand in 2012.
A first in ODI history with 175+ scores
Wolvaardt and Athapaththu also became the first duo to each score over 175 runs in the same ODI match, an unmatched feat in the history of cricket, both in men's and women's play.
Highest individual score while chasing
Athapaththu's remarkable 195* not out is now the highest score in the women's game while chasing a target, surpassing Meg Lanning's 152* for Australia against Sri Lanka in 2017. Glenn Maxwell's 201* against Afghanistan in 2023 remains the only higher score in ODIs while chasing.
Chamari clinches the third highest women's ODI score
Athapaththu's unbeaten 195 stands as the third highest individual score in women's ODIs, only behind Amelia Kerr's 232* against Ireland in 2018 and Belinda Clark's 229* against Denmark in 1997.
First to surpass 175+ runs multiple times
Chamari Athapaththu is now the first woman in ODI history to score more than 175 runs on multiple occasions, having previously knocked an unbeaten 178 against Australia during the 2017 World Cup.
Sri Lanka breaks the 300 barrier for the first time
This tour will be etched in Sri Lankan cricket history as the team surmounted the 300 run mark for the first time in women's ODIs. They ended the tour memorably, drawing the ODI series 1-1, and taking the T20 series 2-1.
Chamari's impact in the WPL
Chamari Athapaththu was seen representing the UP Warriors in the Women's Premier League 2024, where she scored 28 runs and took three wickets in 4 matches. She joined as a replacement for Lauren Bell during the tournament.
