After the series opener was washed out, hosts New Zealand put up a strong showing in the second ODI against Sri Lanka, securing a dominant 78-run victory by bowling Sri Lanka out for just 167.
As the series decider approaches, Suzie Bates-led New Zealand will face Chamari Athapaththu’s Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI of the series, on March 9, 2025, at Saxton Oval, Nelson, with play beginning at 3:30 AM IST. New Zealand will aim to seal the series, while Sri Lanka will look to bounce back and level it 1-1.
Squads:
New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team
Emma McLeod, Georgia Plimmer, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Emma Black, 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:
Maddy Green
An experienced middle-order batter, Green has scored 1,676 runs in 80 ODIs, including a career-best 122. She was the standout performer in the second ODI, scoring a match-winning century (100 off 109). Her ability to stabilize the innings and accelerate when needed makes her a crucial player in New Zealand’s lineup.
Eden Carson
The 23-year-old off-spinner has been a valuable asset for New Zealand, picking up 14 wickets in 16 ODIs. In the second ODI, she delivered a tidy spell of 2/30, playing a crucial role in restricting Sri Lanka. With the pitch offering some assistance to spinners, Carson will be a key bowler for the hosts.
Harshitha Samarawickrama
A consistent performer for Sri Lanka, the left-handed batter has scored 864 runs in 35 ODIs, with the highest score of 105. She was the top scorer for her team in the second ODI with a resilient 59, showing her ability to handle pressure. Sri Lanka will bank on her to provide stability at the top.
Achini Kulasuriya
The 34-year-old pacer has played 28 ODIs, claiming 19 wickets with best figures of 3/35. She bowled a steady spell in the previous match, finishing with 1/46. Her ability to generate movement with the new ball and contain runs in the middle overs makes her a key player in Sri Lanka’s bowling attack.
Pitch:
The Saxton Oval surface offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, slightly favoring bowlers, particularly spinners. Despite being a good batting track, the average score of 221 suggests there is enough assistance for bowlers to make an impact. Captains winning the toss generally prefer to bat first.
Weather:
Nelson is expected to experience light rain during the match, with temperatures hovering around 13°C. There is a 40% chance of precipitation, and humidity levels are expected to reach 89%, while winds will remain light at 3 km/h.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Polly Inglis, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Maddy Green, Chamari Athapaththu, Georgia Plimmer, Suzie Bates, Kavisha Dilhari, Brooke Halliday, Jess Kerr, Emma Black, Eden Carson
Match details:
Date – March 9, 2025
Time – 3:30 AM IST
Venue – Saxton Oval, Nelson
Broadcast – Catch all the action from the Sri Lanka Women Tour of New Zealand, 2025 on FanCode
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