3 reasons why Chamari Athapaththu is the G.O.A.T of women's cricket
Sri Lankan Women's captain Chamari Athapaththu continued adding feathers to her cap by pulling off several records in the third and final ODI against South Africa Women at Potchefstroom on Wednesday, April 17.
The 34-year-old veteran watched the Sri Lankan bowlers concede a mammoth total of 301/5 in 50 overs. However, an unfazed Athapaththu used all her experience and skill to help the Lankans complete the greatest run chase in women's cricket history.
Chamari Athapaththu finished on 195* off 139 deliveries with the aid of 26 boundaries and five maximums, while having only one other batter, Nilakshika Silva, even reach the half-century mark. Her 179-run unbroken partnership with Nilakshika was the second-highest for Sri Lanka in women's cricket and helped them clinch victory in just the 45th over by six wickets.
The southpaw's 195 was also the highest-ever score in a run-chase in women's cricket and third overall behind only double-centurions Amelia Kerr and Belinda Clark.
The Sri Lankan captain's heroics had fans in awe of her ability to consistently deliver performances even at her advanced age, with many referring to her as the G.O.A.T of Women's cricket.
While fans of Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning, among few others might disagree, Chamari Athapaththu certainly has a strong case as the greatest Women's player in history, and here are three reasons why.
#1 All-round dominance
There aren't too many players in women's cricket, if any, to boast a better overall portfolio than Chamari Athapaththu. For starters, the 34-year-old has sustained excellence for an extended period as a batter, bowler, and captain.
The champion cricketer is in the top 20 of all-time leading run-scorers in both ODIs and T20Is, with a combined 6,244 runs.
Hailing from a smaller nation like Sri Lanka, Athapaththu's fame extends beyond only the pure numbers as she has almost single-handedly placed the country on the cricketing map in the Women's circuit.
Athapaththu is also among the most successful captains in Women's cricket, leading Sri Lanka in 79 T20Is (fourth all-time) and 44 ODIs with 37 combined wins across the formats.
Added to the batting and captaincy numbers is the fact that the Sri Lankan skipper has also picked up 70 international wickets with her right-arm off-spin.
Such all-round dominance and versatility is uncommon territory but that Chamari Athapaththu has pulled it off despite playing for a mediocre Sri Lankan side is a testament to her character, fitness, and incredible skills.
# 2 Sky-high peaks
What often separates the great from the greatest are the unparalleled peaks and unique records and Chamari Athapaththu is second to none when it comes to that.
Apart from the several individual records she broke during her memorable knock against South Africa, the Sri Lankan boasts other outlandish records in her sensational career.
The 34-year-old with her 195* on Wednesday became the first-ever women's player with multiple scores of 175-plus in ODIs. Athapaththu achieved the feat for the first time with her 178* against Australia in the 2017 World Cup.
A ninth ODI century also drew her level with Tammy Beaumont and Charlotte Edwards for the third-most all-time in the women's game.
Athapaththu also has four centuries in the ongoing 2022/23-25 ICC Women's Championship, which is behind only Meg Lanning's five in the 2014-16/17 cycle. She is also one of the few to have opened the batting and bowling for her team in an innings.
The innumerable records where she stands alone or in the top 2-3 among Women's cricketers further strengthens Athapaththu's G.O.A.T case.
# 3 Consistency, longevity and big-match prowess
Perhaps the three most important parameters used to determine and differentiate greatness is consistency for long periods and the ability to produce in the big tournaments. And Chamari Athapaththu has achieved all of that during her illastrious career.
It is hard to believe the Sri Lankan all-rounder started her international career in 2009 and yet is still going strong 15 years later. Even better is the fact that Athapaththu has enjoyed some of her best seasons in recent years.
In ODIs, the legendary cricketer has averaged above 30 in nine of the 13 years and in each of the last six seasons she has played. While her domination has been lesser in the shortest format, Athapaththu has averaged above 25 in her last five seasons.
And unlike other greats who tend to wilt in the high-pressure moments, the Sri Lankan stalwart has often risen to the occasion in the World Cups. Athapaththu averages almost 24 with the bat and under 33 with the ball in T20 World Cups.
However, it is her record in ODI World Cups that makes for excellent reading. Athapaththu has scored over 500 runs at an outstanding average of 39.15 in 14 World Cup outings.
The resounding consistency throughout her long career combined with her ability to stand up and deliver on the biggest stages like the World Cup makes Chamari Athapaththu the G.O.A.T of Women's cricket.