The second unofficial ODI between Sri Lanka A Women and New Zealand A Women at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium unfolded as an engaging contest before rain eventually brought an early end to proceedings. The weather had the final say as New Zealand A Women reached 66/4 in pursuit of 198 before the match was abandoned.
After electing to bat first, Sri Lanka A Women began cautiously against a probing new-ball spell from Hannah Rowe and Emma Black. The opening pair of Vishmi Gunaratne and Sanjana Kavindi attempted to settle into rhythm, but the New Zealand A bowlers maintained tight lines from the outset.
Sanjana Kavindi struggled to rotate strike and was eventually dismissed for 1 off 16 balls, caught by Wakelin off Emma Black, leaving Sri Lanka A Women at 15/1. Vishmi Gunaratne looked more fluent during her stay, finding two boundaries in her 13-run knock from 22 deliveries, but New Zealand A continued to chip away regularly. Gunaratne departed at 31/2 when Marama Downes removed her after a brief partnership with Vimoksha Balasuriya.
The innings then began to stabilise through a valuable stand between Vimoksha Balasuriya and skipper Sathya Sandeepani. Balasuriya played patiently for 31 runs from 57 deliveries, striking three boundaries while anchoring the innings through the middle overs. Alongside her, Sumudu Nisansala contributed 24 from 49 balls before being trapped lbw by Armstrong at 74/3 in the 22.5th over. Balasuriya and Piumi Wathsala added another useful partnership, rotating strike effectively despite the slow nature of the surface. However, Armstrong produced an important breakthrough by removing Balasuriya at 81/4 after a catch by Anderson.
Piumi Wathsala then attempted to rebuild with captain Sathya Sandeepani. Wathsala scored 13 off 24 balls before a sharp run out involving substitute Xara Jetly ended her stay at 104/5. Sathya Sandeepani, despite struggling to accelerate, provided composure with 16 runs from 37 deliveries. She shared a steady partnership with Limansa Thilakarathna, who added 24 from 36 balls with one boundary at a better strike rate of 66.66. The pair helped Sri Lanka A Women recover from the middle-order collapse and pushed the score towards respectability before Sandeepani was caught by Catton off Emma Black at 110/6.
The defining phase of the innings came through Dewmi Vihanga’s aggressive counterattack lower down the order. Walking in during a difficult situation, Vihanga shifted momentum with a fearless 44 off just 48 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes. Her partnership with Limansa Thilakarathna added crucial runs before falling to Rowe at 178/8 in 47.3. Rashmika Sewwandi then provided late acceleration with an unbeaten 16 from only 9 balls, striking two boundaries at a strike rate nearing 178. Together, Thilakarathne and Sewwandi frustrated the visitors with an energetic stand that lifted Sri Lanka A Women to 197/9 in their 50 overs.
The New Zealand A Women’s bowling unit delivered a disciplined collective performance throughout the innings. Hannah Rowe was the standout performer, picking up 3 wickets for 36 runs in her 10-over spell while maintaining pressure with the new ball and at the death. Emma Black supported brilliantly with 2/49 in 9 overs, removing both Kavindi and Sandeepani at important moments. Marama Downes claimed 2/30 in 8 overs and broke a growing partnership by dismissing Balasuriya. Bella Armstrong also impressed with figures of 2/21 in 7 overs, while Jess Watkin and Fran Jonas kept things tight through the middle overs.
Chasing 198, New Zealand A Women started positively despite losing Bella James early for 20 off just 15 balls. James attacked from the outset, smashing three boundaries before Sumudu Nisansala and Rashmika Sewwandi combined for the breakthrough at 30/1. Captain Jess Watkin came in with aggressive intent and struck a quick 8 from only 4 balls, including a six, but she too departed soon after, caught by Sumudu Nisansala off Tharuka Shehani with the score at 39/2.
Opener Kate Anderson anchored the chase calmly from one end and remained unbeaten on 19 off 25 deliveries. However, Sri Lanka A Women managed to create pressure through disciplined bowling. Prue Catton struggled to accelerate and was eventually run out for 3, while Tash Wakelin suffered the same fate without scoring. Bella Armstrong added an unbeaten 13 from 10 balls as New Zealand A Women moved to 66/4 in 10.1 overs before rain interrupted play and eventually forced the match to be abandoned.
Sri Lanka A Women’s bowlers showed promise despite the shortened chase. Tharuka Shehani was the most successful, taking 1/11 in 2.1 overs, while Chamudi Praboda, Sathya Sandeepani, Dewmi Vihanga, and Rashmika Sewwandi all bowled energetic spells to keep the scoring under control.
Loves all things female cricket