Visitors Sri Lanka bounced back from their 0-2 One Day International (ODI) series loss to New Zealand with a commanding win in the 1st Twenty20 International (T20I), their first-ever in New Zealand. The all-important 2nd T20I is scheduled for the 16th of March 2025, at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, at 2:45 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Trailing 1-13 against New Zealand in T20Is and coming off a 0-2 ODI series defeat, Sri Lanka faced an uphill task. However, they were clinical in the opening T20I, bowling New Zealand out for 101, with debutant Malki Madara leading the charge with 3/14 (3.5). Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten 64*(48) then sealed a memorable victory for Sri Lanka.
Squads:
New Zealand women’s cricket team
Suzie Bates (C), Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Emma McLeod, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Polly Inglis, Flora Devonshire, Bree Illing
Sri Lanka women’s cricket team
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Manudi Nanayakkara, Imesha Dulani, Achini Kulasuriya, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sachini Nisansala, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Inoshi Priyadarshini, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Chethana Vimukthi
Players to watch out:
Suzie Bates
The 37-year-old all-rounder in T20Is, from 169 outings, has racked up 4,605 runs at a strike rate of 108.53, and from 90 innings, has bagged 59 wickets at an economy rate of 6.58. Suzie scored a fifty and also bagged a wicket in the ODIs, and in the 1st T20I, scored 21 off 14. She has been among the runs of late and can be counted on to follow up with a big score.
Eden Carson
The 23-year-old off-spinner from 31 T20I innings has claimed 39 wickets, at an average of 16.74 and an economy rate of 6.27. Eden was a standout in the 2024-25 domestic season and claimed four wickets from the three ODIs. Though she had a wicketless outing in the 1st T20I, she was economical and can be trusted to lead the wickets tally while also chipping in with handy runs.
Chamari Athapaththu
The 35-year-old all-rounder in T20Is, from 142 outings, has amassed 3,435 runs, at an average of 25.44 and a strike rate of 110.37, while from 86 innings, has taken 62 wickets, at an economy rate of 4.29. Chamari managed only 20 runs and took three wickets from the three ODIs but stepped up her efforts with 64* and 1/10 in the 1st T20I. She remains Sri Lanka’s go-to player.
Inoshi Priyadharshani
The 37-year-old off-spinner from 37 T20I innings has picked up 38 wickets, at an average of 18.02 and an economy rate of 6.04, with best figures of 4/10. Inoshi played only one game in the three-match ODI series, returning figures of 1/43, and in the opening T20I, returned figures of 2/25. She is a seasoned spinner and can be relied upon for breakthroughs.
Pitch:
The Hagley Oval offers a good batting surface, and it is expected to be no different for the game with an average score in the 140s. The wicket will have enough for bowlers, particularly pacers, who can change the course of the game.
Weather:
It will be a pleasant day for cricket at Hagley Oval with no expected rain interruptions and clear bright skies. The temperature will be around 20°C, with light winds and 67% humidity.
Fantasy playing XI:
Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Maddy Green, Georgia Plimmer, Chamari Athapaththu, Suzie Bates, Kavisha Dilhari, Jess Kerr, Brooke Halliday, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson
Match details:
Date – March 16, 2025
Time – 02:45 AM IST
Venue – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Broadcast – The game will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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