Sri Lanka A Women produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat New Zealand A Women by 56 runs in the 2nd T20 in Dambulla, taking complete control of the contest through disciplined batting partnerships and sharp bowling displays. The hosts looked confident from the outset, building their innings steadily before their bowlers dismantled the New Zealand A batting lineup with regular breakthroughs. The victory highlighted Sri Lanka A Women’s growing depth in both batting and bowling as they outplayed the visitors in every department.
The innings began positively for Sri Lanka A Women as Sanjana Kavindi and Vishmi Gunaratne gave the side a composed start. Kavindi looked fluent during her 27-run knock off 20 deliveries, striking four boundaries at a strike rate of 135.00. The opening pair ensured the scoreboard kept moving despite New Zealand A Women trying to contain the flow with disciplined lines. Kavindi’s aggressive approach helped Sri Lanka reach 44 before she was dismissed by Jess Watkin in the sixth over. The opening partnership laid a strong foundation and shifted early momentum towards the hosts.
After the first wicket, Vishmi Gunaratne anchored the innings beautifully and stitched together the most important partnership of the match with Vimoksha Balasuriya. The duo added 52 runs for the second wicket, stabilising the innings while maintaining an impressive scoring tempo. Gunaratne displayed maturity throughout her unbeaten 57 off 49 balls, striking four boundaries and two sixes. At the other end, Balasuriya played an equally valuable hand with a brisk 33 from 27 deliveries, including two boundaries and two sixes. Their partnership ensured Sri Lanka A Women remained in command during the middle overs while frustrating the New Zealand bowlers.
Piiumi Wathsala then joined Gunaratne and contributed a useful 16 runs off 19 balls as the pair added another handy stand to push the innings further. Although Rashmika Sewwandi and Shashini Gimhani departed cheaply in the closing overs, Dewmi Vihanga’s late cameo provided the finishing touch Sri Lanka needed. Vihanga smashed an unbeaten 14 off just three deliveries, including two fours and a six, lifting the hosts to an imposing 152/5 in 20 overs at a run rate of 7.60. The late acceleration proved crucial in stretching the target beyond New Zealand A Women’s comfort zone.
For New Zealand A Women, Jess Watkin was the standout bowler with figures of 2/26 from four overs, striking at important moments to break partnerships. Hannah Rowe also picked up two wickets, dismissing Kavindi and Shashini Gimhani, though she conceded 39 runs. Fran Jonas chipped in with one wicket while Emma Black, Marama Downes, Bella Armstrong and JA Watkins supported with disciplined spells despite remaining wicketless. However, the visitors struggled to contain the scoring in the death overs, which ultimately proved costly.
Chasing 153, New Zealand A Women never truly settled into the innings as Sri Lanka A Women’s bowlers struck consistently. Jess Watkin was dismissed early for just one run, while Kate Anderson and Bella James attempted to rebuild with a cautious partnership. Anderson managed 11 off 19 balls, and Bella James added 10 from 22 deliveries, but the scoring rate continued to climb beyond reach. Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept pressure from both ends, forcing mistakes and restricting boundaries effectively.
The turning point came during the middle overs when Sri Lanka A Women removed wickets in clusters. Tash Wakelin, Bella Armstrong and JA Watkins all failed to convert starts, leaving the visitors struggling at 37/5. Emma Black briefly counterattacked with a fighting 28 off 20 balls, including three boundaries and a six, while Fran Jonas remained unbeaten on 10. Hannah Rowe also contributed 11 runs, but regular wickets prevented New Zealand A Women from building meaningful partnerships. Their innings eventually ended at 96 in 19.5 overs, well short of the target.
Sri Lanka A Women’s bowling attack delivered a complete team effort. Dewmi Vihanga starred with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 19 runs in 3.5 overs and dismantling the middle order. Chamudi Praboda bowled a disciplined spell of 2/15 in four overs, while Rashmika Sewwandi and Sachini Nisansala picked up one wicket each. Sathya Sandeepani maintained excellent control with economical figures of 0/4 from two overs, and Shashini Gimhani also chipped in with a wicket. The bowlers consistently attacked the stumps and forced New Zealand A Women into errors throughout the chase.
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