So who won? The bowlers? The batters? The weather app? Officially - No Result. Unofficially - Rain 1, Cricket 0. Sri Lanka would feel dominant. West Indies would want a reset button. From 26/4 in Powerplay to 49 all out, it was one of those nights. You plan a party. Only the cleaners show up. But hey… that’s cricket. And sometimes… that’s Caribbean weather.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators, Darpan Tikiya, Saptak Sanyal, and scorer Zeeshan Naiyer. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!!
2:02 AM IST, 4:32 PM LOCAL TIME: When rain and wickets compete, sometimes the umbrella wins the toss. What a surreal evening in St George’s. Reduced to 18 overs per side because of rain… and then West Indies Women folded for 49 in 13.3 overs. Sri Lanka Women began the chase, reached 7/0 in 2.5 overs, and then - plot twist - the rain returned. Match abandoned. No Result. The scoreboard barely warmed up. Fans came for cricket. Got a weather report instead.
How did it all start? Was there any early promise from the hosts? Powerplay told the tale. Mandatory phase shortened to 5.2 overs. Score? 26/4. Ouch. Hayley Matthews gone for 6 off 9, bowled by Ranaweera. Qiana Joseph showed a brief spark with 7 off 7, including a six, but Kumari struck at 2.2 overs. Claxton was run out, and the chaos occurred. Dottin was dismissed first ball. Four down before the snacks finished. The home crowd was stunned. Sri Lanka were clinical.
Did the middle overs bring stability? Or more collapse comedy? More collapse. Faster than Caribbean WiFi in a storm. At 28/5, then 32/7 by 6.6 overs, Sri Lanka’s bowlers were in rhythm. Sugandika Kumari: 3-1-8-2. Kavisha Dilhari: 2.3-0-5-3. Economy rates reading like exam scores in maths class - extremely low. Drinks at 40/7. West Indies were searching for boundaries. Found fielders instead.
Any resistance at all? A heroic cameo? Aaliyah Alleyne tried. Brave 7 off 20. Yes… 7 off 20. That sums it up. Campbelle managed 7 off 12. Extras chipped in with 2 wides. The top partnership was barely noticeable. The last wicket fell at 13.3 overs. Total - 49 all out. Sri Lanka’s bowling card looked like a group project where everyone did their job properly.
What about the chase? Did Sri Lanka look nervous? Not really. Target - 50 in 18 overs. Required rate - under 3. That’s jogging pace. Athapaththu was calmly on 5 off 10.* Perera 2 off 7.* Score 7/0 in 2.5 overs. Then rain said, “I’ll take it from here.” Match stopped. Covers back. Players off. Fans confused. Cricket gods chuckling.
OVER 3
Sri Lanka Women
7/0
Chamari Athapaththu
5(10)
Hasini Perera
2(7)
Hayley Kristen Matthews
0-3(1.5)
2 AM IST and 4:30 PM Local Time: That's it! Rain has the final say in this game. This game has been abandoned due to persistent drizzle. The center wicket still remains under cover. Sri Lanka will be gutted. It was their game to lose if the game was played or at least 5 overs had been bowled. But those didn't happen, and the West Indies got a lucky escape.
1:43 PM IST, 4:13 PM LOCAL TIME: The drizzle is persistent, and the covers are firmly in place over the square. The ground staff is on standby, and the "waiting game" continues.
1:16 AM IST, 3:46 PM local time: Looks like Matthews is not alone. The other players have also been asked to leave the park. The covers have been called for. Play stopped due to rain.
Hayley Matthews is leaving the field.
Oh dear! Matthews has pulled out of her delivery stride. She is clutching her left leg and is currently on the floor. The team physio rushes onto the park. Looks like she has twisted her ankle. The replays confirm it. Yes, she is not pulling off a Gulbaddin Naib.
It has just started to rain. Remember, we need at least 5 overs of play in this innings to constitute a game.
2.5 Matthews to C Athapaththu
0 A full delivery angling in at the pads. Chamari misses the flick onto the pads. Another appeal for LBW but turned down as it would've missed the leg stump.