We are all set to witness the next generation of superstars take center stage as White Ferns host Sri Lanka, led by skipper Chamari Athapaththu, for a white-ball bilateral series that includes three ODIs followed by three T20Is.
New Zealand’s stand-in skipper Suzie Bates won the toss and opted to field first in the 1st ODI at the McLean Park, Napier. There were as many as five debutants, three from the White Ferns, Bree Illing, Emma McLeod, wicket-keeper batter Polly Inglis. As far as the visitors are concerned, Chethana Vimukthi, and the Sri Lanka Under-19 T20 World Cup skipper Manudi Nanayakkara were handed their debut caps.
Sri Lankan openers Vishmi Gunaratne and skipper Chamari Athapaththu got their side off to a cautious start with a 25-run opening partnership. The young 21-year-old debutant Illing picked up the big scalp of the opposition skipper Chamari Athapaththu to provide the first breakthrough for the home side in the 7th over of the innings.
Harshitha Samarawickrama joined Vishmi Gunaratne at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 45-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Jess Kerr broke the stand, removing Vishmi Gunaratne (30 off 48 balls) to provide the 2nd breakthrough for the home side.
Kavisha Dilhari joined Harshitha Samarawickrama at the crease and the duo only shared a brief partnership as the visitors lost the wicket of Kavisha Dilhari in the 24th over of the innings. Skipper Suzie Bates took it upon herself to provide the 3rd breakthrough for her side.
Manudi Nanayakkara soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 4th breakthrough for New Zealand. Nilakshika Silva joined Harshitha Samarawickrama at the crease and the pair were leading the recovery with a much-needed 44-run partnership for the 5th wicket to take them closer to the 150-run mark. A wicket against the run of play as Nilakshikha Silva (17 off 33 balls) was found short of her crease to provide the 5th breakthrough for the White Ferns.
Harshitha Samarawickrama (66* off 96 balls) stayed unbeaten on a well-crafted half-century, while Bree Illing (10-1-42-2) was impressive with the ball on her international debut for the White Ferns. Skipper Suzie Bates (6-0-18-1), Jess Kerr (6.4-0-21-1), and Hannah Rowe (8-2-32-0) played their part with the ball for New Zealand until the rains arrived in the 37th over of the innings and the game was eventually called off in Napier.
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