In a tightly fought contest at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, New Zealand A Women held their nerve to clinch a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka A Women in the third T20 of the series. Chasing a modest target in tricky batting conditions, the visitors crossed the line with seven balls to spare, finishing on 79/5 in 18.5 overs after Sri Lanka A Women had earlier been bundled out for 78 in 16.5 overs. Despite the defeat, Sri Lanka A Women secured the three-match series 2-1, but New Zealand A Women ended the tour on a positive note with a disciplined all-round performance.
After electing to bat first, Sri Lanka A Women struggled to build momentum from the very beginning as New Zealand A Women bowlers maintained tight lines and regularly picked wickets. The opening pair of Sanjana Kavindi and Vitini de Alwis attempted to settle the innings cautiously, but the pressure created by Jess Watkin and Hannah Rowe paid dividends early. The first breakthrough came at 3/1 in 2.3 overs when Vitini de Alwis was trapped lbw by Marama Downes for a five-ball duck. Soon after, Vimoksha Balasuriya departed for 2, leaving Sri Lanka A Women at 17/2 in 4.1 overs.
Sanjana Kavindi tried to counterattack with three boundaries during her 15-run knock off 19 deliveries, but wickets continued to tumble around her. Sathya Sandeepani joined Kavindi for a brief 14-run partnership that helped stabilize the innings slightly before Kavindi fell at 18/3 in 4.5 overs. Dewmi Vihanga failed to make an impact and was dismissed for a duck, reducing the hosts to 19/4 in 5.6 overs as Kayley Knight struck a crucial blow.
The responsibility then shifted to captain Sathya Sandeepani and wicketkeeper Sumudu Nisansala, who stitched together the best partnership of the innings. The duo added 36 valuable runs for the fifth wicket, taking Sri Lanka A Women beyond the 50-run mark. Sathya Sandeepani scored 16 off 23 balls with one boundary before Fran Jonas dismissed her at 47/5 in 10.4 overs. Sumudu Nisansala continued fighting from one end with a composed 15 off 16 deliveries, while Piumi Wathsala chipped in with 12 from 15 balls in another useful stand.
However, New Zealand A Women bowlers never allowed the innings to accelerate. Rashmika Sewwandi managed just 1, Sachini Nisansala added 2, while Shashini Gimhani played a brief cameo of 7 off 5 balls featuring a boundary. Sri Lanka A Women were eventually bowled out for 78 in 16.5 overs. Jess Watkin delivered a sensational spell of 4 wickets for just 4 runs in 2.5 overs, completely dismantling the middle order. Kayley Knight supported brilliantly with 2/5 from her two overs, while Marama Downes, JA Watkins, Bella Armstrong, and Fran Jonas picked up one wicket each. Hannah Rowe also bowled economically, conceding only 11 runs in her two overs.
Chasing 79, New Zealand A Women did not have the smoothest of starts either as Sri Lanka A Women bowlers fought hard to defend the low total. Jess Watkin, leading the side, scored 6 before becoming the first wicket at 8/1 in 2.4 overs after Sumudu Nisansala completed a stumping off Chamudi Praboda. Kate Anderson and Prue Catton attempted to steady the innings with a 32-run partnership for the second wicket. Anderson struck one boundary during her patient 17-run knock off 23 balls before Sachini Nisansala removed her at 40/2 in 8.4 overs.
Bella Armstrong briefly joined Prue Catton, and the pair added 18 runs before Armstrong departed for 6 at 58/3 in 12.2 overs. Sri Lanka A Women sensed an opportunity when Hannah Rowe was dismissed for 3 and JA Watkins managed only 3, reducing New Zealand A Women to 68/5 in 15.5 overs. Sachini Nisansala bowled impressively and finished with 2/14 in four overs, while Pramudi Methsara also claimed 2 wickets for just 5 runs in her economical spell.
Despite the mini-collapse, Prue Catton held her composure brilliantly at the other end. Her unbeaten 30 off 38 balls proved to be the defining innings of the chase. Kate Gaging supported her calmly with an unbeaten 7 from 13 deliveries as the pair guided New Zealand A Women home at 79/5 in 18.5 overs. Chamudi Praboda bowled well with figures of 1/7, while Sathya Sandeepani and Shashini Gimhani kept things tight in the middle overs.
The match showcased a strong bowling performance from both teams, with conditions heavily favouring disciplined seam and spin bowling. While Sri Lanka A Women celebrated a 2-1 series triumph, New Zealand A Women ended the series with a morale-boosting win built around Jess Watkin’s devastating spell and Prue Catton’s composed chase-finishing knock.
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