After a 0-2 ODI series loss to New Zealand, Sri Lanka made a historic comeback in the 1st T20I, securing their first-ever T20I win on New Zealand soil. The visitors dominated the game, showcasing their growing confidence in the shortest format. However, New Zealand bounced back strongly in the 2nd T20I, restricting Sri Lanka to a modest total and comfortably chasing it down with a 7-wicket victory.
With the series now level at 1-1, both teams have everything to play for in the series decider, making the 3rd T20I on March 18, 2025, at University Oval, Dunedin, a high-stakes encounter.
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 de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Manudi Nanayakkara, Imesha Dulani, Achini Kulasuriya, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sachini Nisansala, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Chethana Vimukthi
Players to watch out:
Brooke Halliday
Halliday brings balance to the New Zealand lineup with her all-round abilities. The 29-year-old has played 43 T20Is, scoring 441 runs with the highest score of 46* and picking up 8 wickets. In the 2nd T20I, she played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s win, scoring an unbeaten 46* and contributing with the ball by taking 1/11.
Jess Kerr
Kerr has been one of New Zealand’s most reliable pace bowlers in recent times. The 27-year-old right-arm pacer has represented the White Ferns in 38 T20Is, picking up 22 wickets with the best bowling figure of 2/13. In this series, she has already been impactful, producing figures of 2/18 in the 1st T20I and 2/29 in the 2nd T20I. With her ability to extract swing and generate bounce, Kerr will be a crucial weapon for New Zealand, especially in the powerplay.
Nilakshi de Silva
Nilakshi, one of Sri Lanka’s most experienced campaigners, is known for her stability in the middle-order. The 35-year-old veteran has played 103 T20Is, accumulating 1,151 runs, with her highest score being 63 not out. In the ongoing series, she has provided steady contributions, scoring 12* in the 1st T20I and 20 in the 2nd T20I.
Malki Madara
Madara announced herself in international cricket with a stunning T20I debut in the 1st match of the series, where she claimed a brilliant 3/14. Her Player of the Match performance helped Sri Lanka secure a memorable win. Though she didn’t pick up wickets in the 2nd T20I, she has already shown glimpses of her potential.
Pitch:
The University Oval in Dunedin is known for offering a batting-friendly surface, with an average first-innings score of 143. While the pitch will assist batters, pacers can find movement with the new ball, making early breakthroughs crucial.
Weather:
Dunedin is expected to have rain interruptions, which could lead to reduced overs or DLS adjustments. The humidity levels will be around 78%, and the temperature will be around 12°C, with winds blowing at 34 kph. Given the possibility of weather disruptions, the team winning the toss may opt to chase.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Chamari Athapaththu, Suzie Bates, Kavisha Dilhari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Brooke Halliday, Jess Kerr, Bree Illing, Eden Carson, Malki Madara
Match details:
Date – March 18, 2025
Time – 2:45 AM IST
Venue – University Oval, Dunedin
Broadcast – The match will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.
