Athapaththu's stunning ton secures historic series triumph

Skipper Chamari Athapaththu was the star yet again as Sri Lanka converted their maiden ODI win over New Zealand into a historic first-ever series win against the White Ferns in another rain-hampered contest. Athapaththu hammered an unbeaten 140 - her second ton of the series - to help the hosts chase down a revised target of 196 with 8 wickets and 13 balls to spare.

Rain arrived when New Zealand were in recovery mode. Suzie Bates, with her unbeaten 63, had cautiously forged a vital partnership of 74 with captain Sophie Devine (38*) to take the visitors to a respectable 127/2 by the end of 31st over when a long spell of rain ended their innings.

Sri Lanka didn't make the most memorable start in the chase, losing two wickets inside four overs. But the home team's captain led from the front as she hit another belligerent century in the series - this time off just 60 deliveries - to keep her side cruising. She had Nilakshi de Silva for company (48*) as the pair stitched a series-clinching 190-run unbroken stand. Athapaththu, the aggressor, hit as many as nine sixes and 13 fours in her 80-ball knock, comfortably sweeping both the Player of the Match and Series awards.

Brief scores: New Zealand Women 127/2 in 31 overs (Suzie Bates 63*, Sophie Devine 38*; Oshadi Ranasinghe 1-22) lost to Sri Lanka Women 196/2 in 26.5 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 140*, Nilakshi de Silva 48*; LEa Tahuhu 1-29) by 8 wickets (DLS method; target revised to 196 from 29 overs)