T20 Champions New Zealand and Sri Lanka are set to commence their three-match ODI series with the first match being played at McLean Park, Napier, on March 4 – which promises to be a spicy battle between two strong teams.
Led by Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka will aim to make a strong start and build momentum in overseas facilities. Meanwhile, New Zealand, under the captaincy of Suzie Bates, will look to take full advantage of known conditions and begin the series on a high note.
Hosts New Zealand endured a tough time in ODIs in 2024, winning just two games in their last eleven matches. Their spree of losses began with consecutive series defeats to England, followed by a crushing performance from India. To cap off a challenging year, they suffered a 2-0 series loss against Australia, making the year a forgettable one.
On the flip side, Sri Lanka enjoyed a decent run in ODIs last year as they got the better of West Indies at home. However, their momentum took a turn in their most recent outing against Ireland, where they lost the series 2-1.
Squads:
New Zealand women’s cricket team
Emma McLeod, Georgia Plimmer, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Suzie Bates (C), Izzy Gaze (WK), Polly Inglis (WK), Bree Illing, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas
Sri Lanka women’s cricket team
Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Manudi Nanayakkara, Nilakshika Silva, Vishmi Gunarathne, Chamari Athapaththu (C), Chethana Vimukthi, Kavisha Dilhari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Anushka Sanjeewani (WK), Kaushini Nuthyangana (WK), Achini Kulasuriya, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Sachini Nisansala, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani
Players to watch out:
Brooke Halliday
Brooke Halliday has been a serious performer for the White Ferns in the shorter format. In the last 10 ODI games, the 29-year-old has scored 312 runs from 10 matches with an average of 34.67. Halliday adds value and depth to New Zealand’s middle order with her responsible batting. In international outings, Halliday has notched up 828 runs from 34 innings with an average nearing 27.
Jess Kerr
White Ferns’ medium-pacer Jess Kerr will be a key player in the ODI series, bringing gripping control to New Zealand’s bowling attack. The right-arm medium pacer has picked 48 wickets in 35 innings at an average of 24.58 and an economy rate of 4.35 runs per over. With the best bowling figures of 4/23, Kerr has the knack of breaking partnerships and steadying the scoring rate, making her a vital asset for the White Ferns in the series opener.
Chamari Athapaththu
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu enters the ODI series in red-hot form, making her the biggest threat to New Zealand’s bowling attack. In her last 10 matches, she has amassed 470 runs at an incredible average of 58.75 and a strike rate that nears 100. A proven game-changer, the 35-year old holds the accolade for the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan woman in ODIs—195*, a knock that came in April 2024 against Proteas when she powered her team to a historic chase of 302, the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history.
Inoshi Priyadharshani
The 37-year-old, Inoshi Priyadharshani brings control and stability to Sri Lanka’s bowling attack with her right-arm off-breaks. Having scalped 15 wickets in 13 innings at an impressive economy of 3.82, she excels at building pressure and restricting runs, making her a standout player to watch out for in the upcoming week.
Pitch:
The deck at the McLean Park in Napier is reputed for being one of New Zealand’s most batting-friendly surfaces. However, fast bowlers can also find some early on movement. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to hold on a bit, making run-scoring slightly tougher. Especially in day-night matches, teams opting to bat first could have an edge due to the better conditions available early in the innings.
Weather:
There are chances that the match would be halted by rain in Napier as there are 70% chances of precipitation. The temperature is expected to be around 24 degrees Celsius, with winds blowing at 14 km/hr and humidity at 65%.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Maddy Green, Chamari Athapaththu, Georgia Plimmer, Suzie Bates, Kavisha Dilhari, Brooke Halliday, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Eden Carson
Match details:
Date – March 4, 2025
Time – 6:30 AM IST
Venue – McLean Park, Napier
Broadcast – Catch all the action from the Sri Lanka Women Tour of New Zealand, 2025 on FanCode
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