Whenever I think of experienced bowlers in women’s cricket who’ve quietly influenced games for years, Inoka Ranaweera always comes to mind. She may not always be in the limelight like some batters, but her left-arm orthodox spin has made her one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable cricketers over the past decade.
Early Life & Rise
Born on 18 February 1986 in Balapitiya, Sri Lanka, Inoka Ranaweera developed into a spinner with remarkable consistency and control. She made her ODI debut for Sri Lanka in April 2012 against India. Her T20I debut came in the same year, in September 2012. Female Cricket+3Wikipedia+3Female Cricket+3
Style of Bowling & Strengths
- Bowling Style: Slow left-arm orthodox. She spins the ball with control, often troubling batters with flight, drift, and accuracy. Wikipedia+2MyKhel+2
- Role: A front-line bowler for Sri Lanka, someone who can both contain runs and take wickets when needed. She bowls in both ODIs and T20Is, often under pressure, and has shown resilience. Wikipedia+2ESPN Cricinfo+2
Career Highlights
Here are some of the moments that stand out in her journey:
- In an ODI vs New Zealand in November 2015, Rathinwerea made history by taking three wickets in the last three balls of the innings — a hat-trick. She was the first Sri Lankan woman to take an ODI hat-trick. Wikipedia+2icc+2
- She was awarded Sri Lanka’s Women’s ODI Bowler of the Year in both 2016 and 2017 — recognition for consistency and impact. icc+2Female Cricket+2
Career Stats & Longevity
What impresses me most about Inoka is how long she’s stayed relevant:
- In ODIs, she’s picked up over 70 wickets in about 65 matches. Her best ODI bowling figures are 4 for 39. Wikipedia+2MyKhel+2
- In T20Is, she has about 49 wickets in ~51 matches, with a very respectable bowling average and a few standout spells like 4/7. Wikipedia+2Cricbuzz+2
- Her economy and experience make her someone captains trust—someone who can stall momentum when needed. Female Cricket+2MyKhel+2
Challenges & Comebacks
Like many experienced players, she’s had ups and downs:
- There have been periods when she was left out of squads, but her skill set—especially on spin-friendly pitches—made selectors bring her back. For example, she was called up for T20 World Cup 2024 squad after being out. Cricbuzz+1
- Maintaining fitness, adapting to different formats, and staying sharp against rising younger spinners is always a challenge, but she’s managed to stay competitive.
Impact & What She Means for Sri Lanka
For me, Inoka Ranaweera symbolizes more than just wickets. She represents:
- Experience: A bridge between newer players and veterans, helping shape Sri Lanka’s spin attack.
- Resilience: Persisting through phases when her performance dipped or when dropped, then returning to form.
- Spin depth: In many matches, especially on subcontinent pitches, she provides Sri Lanka a crucial option with reliability.
Final Thoughts
Inoka Ranaweera may not always get the glamour headlines, but for fans who watch carefully, she’s one of the most important parts of Sri Lanka Women’s cricket. Her hat-trick, her awards, her longevity—they all tell a story of a player who quietly shapes matches.
Tags:
Inoka Ranaweera, Sri Lanka Women Cricket, Women’s Cricket, Spin Bowling, Hat-trick, Cricket Profiles