How Did Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshika Silva Achieve Career-High Ratings in ICC Rankings?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshika Silva achieved career-high ratings in ICC Women's ODI Player Rankings.
- Sri Lanka won two out of three matches in their tri-series.
- Historic victory over India marks a significant milestone for the team.
- Samarawickrama and Silva both contributed with half-centuries in their latest match.
- Improved rankings reflect the growing strength of women's cricket in Sri Lanka.
Dubai, May 6 (NationPress) Sri Lanka batters Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshika Silva have achieved remarkable progress in the recent update of the ICC Women's ODI Player Rankings on Tuesday.
The Sri Lankan team has had a fantastic start to their ongoing tri-series at home against India and South Africa, winning two out of their three matches so far.
Their latest performance was a commendable three-wicket victory over India, marking the first time Sri Lanka has triumphed over the Subcontinent team in ODIs since 2018, and only the third occasion in Women's ODI history.
Harshitha and Nilakshika Silva played crucial roles, both scoring half-centuries during this historic win, which led to significant improvements in their rankings.
Samarawickrama climbed nine positions to rank 18th overall, while Silva jumped an impressive 18 spots to reach 25th. South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt retains her position as the leading ODI batter in the world.
Wolvaardt's teammate Tazmin Brits moved up 12 places to 40th following a century in South Africa's tri-series opener. Meanwhile, in-form India opener Pratika Rawal also gained five spots to 42nd overall, achieving another career-high rating.
In the ODI bowling rankings, England spinner Sophie Ecclestone remains at the top, while two South African bowlers made strides. Nadine de Klerk ascended three places to 25th, and Nonkululeko Mlaba rose six spots to 28th after a two-wicket performance against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu took three wickets against India and improved 14 places to 29th in the bowling rankings, while also moving up one spot to seventh among ODI all-rounders.
Australia's Ash Gardner continues to hold the No.1 all-rounder position in 50-over cricket, with South Africa's Chloe Tryon (up one place to equal 14th) and Sri Lanka's Kavisha Dilhari (up one spot to equal 17th) also making progress this week.