Athapaththu becomes first Sri Lankan women's player to top ICC ODI rankings

It has been a very special week for Chamari Athapaththu as the Sri Lankan skipper first led her team to a 2-1 series against New Zealand at home and climbed to number 1 in the latest ICC ODI batting rankings. 

Athapaththu slammed an unbeaten 140 off 80 balls in the final game to power the team over the line in a rain-curtailed outing. The 33-year-old slammed two centuries in three matches against New Zealand at home to rise from seventh position to her career-best rankings. 

The Sri Lankan skipper holds the record for the ten highest runs scored by a batter in a innings and has single-handedly carried the team over the line on numerous occasions. 

According to the ICC media release, Sophie Devine has moved to 13th place after scoring a scintillating 137 in the second ODI in Galle, while Ireland opener Gaby Lewis has progressed five positions to 21st spot after her unbeaten 95 in the final match against West Indies. 

In the shortest format, Sophia Dunkley and Amy Jones have moved four and one places, respectively, after the first match of the Women's Ashes series.