New Zealand continued their dominant run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, securing their 13th win against Sri Lanka with an emphatic 8-wicket victory in the fifteenth match of the tournament. Chasing a modest target of 116, the White Ferns reached the total comfortably with 15 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka, after winning the toss and opting to bat, struggled once. Captain Chamari Athapaththu, who had yet to find form in the tournament, finally managed to cross into double figures, leading the scoring with a patient 35 from 41 balls. She formed a promising second-wicket partnership with Harshitha Samarawickrama, adding 48 runs.
However, the quick dismissals of both players within six balls left the middle order under immense pressure. Despite efforts from Ama Kanchana (10*) and Nilakshi de Silva (14*) Sri Lanka could only muster 115 runs, their highest total in the tournament. Amelia Kerr was outstanding with the ball for New Zealand, taking 2 for 13, while Leigh Kasperek (2/27) and Eden Carson (1/19) also chipped in with crucial wickets.
In their reply, New Zealand had a slow and cautious start, going boundary-less for the first four overs. Veteran opener Suzie Bates (17) found it tough to get going, but Georgia Plimmer took charge. Displaying her confidence and footwork, Plimmer frequently advanced down the track, accumulating the majority of her runs with drives straight down the ground. Her composed 53 off 44 deliveries, her second T20I fifty, was instrumental in New Zealand’s chase.
Together with Amelia Kerr (34*) she built a match-winning partnership that effectively sealed Sri Lanka’s fate. Plimmer fell while attempting a big shot, but by then, the result was a foregone conclusion. Sophie Devine (13*) New Zealand’s captain, ensured there were no further hiccups, guiding her side to victory.
Plimmer’s standout performance with the bat earned her the Player of the Match accolade, as fans took to social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter) to applaud New Zealand’s clinical all-round display.
The White Ferns solidify their position in Group A, while Sri Lanka concludes the tournament without a victory.
— Mukesh Sukariya (@mukesh_sukariya) October 12, 2024
This victory of NZ has increased India’s problems a bit.
— अंग जन संवाद (@anga_jana) October 12, 2024
Excellent half century
— Mr FIT (@afd_hsd) October 12, 2024
💥 Georgia Plimmer 5️⃣0️⃣ 💥
— Jkbabu 🇰 🇷 🇹 (@JkbabuB) October 12, 2024
That’s it , NZ makes it easy for them to qualify
— Susana🌸 (@Kohlisque18) October 12, 2024
New Zealand’s bowling effort shines as they restrict Sri Lanka to 115/5 in the Women’s T20wouldcup
— BabarAzamfans (@babarazam0111) October 12, 2024
Georgia Plimmer hits half-century and Amelia Kerr superb all-round performance as New Zealand beats Sri Lanka by eight wickets.#NZvSL #WT20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/fF7rPKFOb0
— 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐬 🇳🇿 (@Kiwiscricketfan) October 12, 2024
Loves all things female cricket