Skipper Suzie Bates led her side to an impressive ODI series win (2-0) after the first ODI was washed out. The caravan moved to the three-match T20I series and the visitors, Sri Lanka led by skipper Chamari Athapaththu, delivered a counterpunch in the first T20I, leading her side to a comprehensive seven-wicket win in the first T20I courtesy of her unbeaten half-century (64* off 48 balls) to go 1-0 up in the T20I series.
The White Ferns handed a T20I debut to the young 22-year-old Central Hinds all-rounder Flora Devonshire as she replaced Rosemary Mair in the starting 11 for the 2nd T20I. The visitors on the other hand, retained the same side that took the field in the 1st T20I.
Manudi Nanayakkara shines as the White Ferns pacers restrict the visitors
Sri Lanka lost their opening batter Vishmi Gunaratne for a two-ball duck in the first over of the innings after skipper Suzie Bates won the toss and inserted them to bat first in the 2nd T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Bree Illling provided the first breakthrough for New Zealand. Harshitha Samarawickrama joined skipper Chamari Athapaththu at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 33-run partnership for the 2nd wicket.
Bree Illing broke the stand, removing Harshitha Samarawickrama in the 7th over of the innings to provide the 2nd breakthrough for the home side. The visitors lost a couple of wickets in quick succession and found themselves in trouble at 53/4 in the 10th over of the innings. Nilkashika Silva joined the 17-year-old youngster playing just her 2nd T20I at the crease, and the duo bailed their side out of trouble with a vital 53-run partnership for the 5th wicket to take their side past the 100-run mark.
An unfortunate run-out ended Manudi Nanayakkara’s (35 off 32 balls) impressive stay at the crease. Impressive display of death overs bowling from the home side ensured, Sri Lanka ended at a total of 113/7 in their quota of 20 overs. Nilakshikha Silva (20 off 22 balls), skipper Chamari Athapaththu (23 off 29 balls), and Kavisha Dilhari (12 off 12 balls) chipped in with crucial contributions with the bat for the visitors.
Bree Illing (4-0-18-2), and skipper Suzie Bates (4-1-16-0) were the stand-out performers with the ball for New Zealand. While, debutant Flora Devonshire (2-0-12-1), and Brooke Halliday (2-0-11-1) played their part with the ball for their side.
Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday orchestrate a clinical victory to level the T20I series
Chasing a target of 114, the home side lost the wicket of Georgia Plimmer early on in the 2nd over of the run chase. Sugandika Kumari provided the first breakthrough for Sri Lanka. Substantial partnerships of 34 (35 balls) for the 2nd wicket between Emma McLeod and Bates followed by another crucial 43-run stand for the 3rd wicket between Brooke Halliday and Bates, and a brisk 32-run unbeaten partnership for the 4th wicket between Izzy Sharp and Brooke Halliday (46* off 40 balls) guided the home side over the line with 7 wickets in hand and nine balls to spare, ensuring there were no further hiccups in the run chase.
Skipper Suzie Bates (47 off 46 balls) fell three runs short of her well-deserved half-century. Inoshi Priyadharshani Fernando (4-0-19-1), Sugandika Kumari (3-0-16-1), and Achini Kulasuriya (2.3-0-11-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for Sri Lanka.
The White Ferns skipper Suzie Bates was awarded the Player of the Match for her crucial all-round contributions. She returned with impressive match figures of 4-1-16-0 with the ball, and chipped in with a vital contribution, scoring 47 runs, with the bat as the home side bounced back with an impressive win.
The scoreline of the T20I series stands at 1-1 heading into the 3rd and final T20I of the series at the University Oval, Dunedin on 18th March 2025 (Tuesday) from 2:45 AM IST.
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