New Zealand Women Cruise to an Eight-Wicket Win Over Sri Lanka, Keep Semi-Final Hopes Alive
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| Chasing 116, New Zealand Women started strongly with a 49-run opening stand between Suzie Bates (17) and Georgia Plimmer (53 off 44 balls). / Getty |
New Zealand Women got back to winning ways in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, securing a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Women. The result keeps the White Ferns in the race for a semi-final spot, while Sri Lanka's winless streak in the tournament continues.
Chasing a modest target of 116, New Zealand Women got off to a solid start thanks to openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer. The duo kept Sri Lanka’s bowlers at bay, taking full advantage of the powerplay. Bates fell for 17 in the eighth over after the opening partnership of 49, but Plimmer continued to bat fluently.
Plimmer, who reached her half-century, was eventually dismissed for a well-made 53 off 44 balls in the 15th over. Amelia Kerr and skipper Sophie Devine then took charge of the chase, ensuring there were no more stumbles along the way. Kerr remained unbeaten on 34, while Devine struck 13* to see the White Ferns home with 17 balls to spare.
Earlier, Sri Lanka Women opted to bat first but struggled to build momentum. Despite a promising 48-run partnership between captain Chamari Athapaththu (35) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (18), wickets at regular intervals halted their progress. The New Zealand bowlers, led by Amelia Kerr and Leigh Kasperek, who both claimed two wickets each, kept Sri Lanka in check, restricting them to 115/5 in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s batters couldn’t find the late acceleration they needed, as New Zealand’s disciplined bowling and fielding held them back. Athapaththu’s dismissal was the turning point, with the rest of the Lankan middle order failing to capitalize on the platform set.
In response, New Zealand’s batters delivered a composed performance to comfortably chase down the target in 17.3 overs, securing a much-needed victory by eight wickets.
With this win, New Zealand Women keep their hopes of a semi-final berth alive, while Sri Lanka Women are left looking for answers as they remain winless in the tournament.
Brief Scores:
- Sri Lanka Women : 115/5 (Chamari Athapaththu 35, Harshitha Samarawickrama 18; Amelia Kerr 2/24, Leigh Kasperek 2/18)
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New Zealand Women : 118/2 in 17.3 overs (Georgia
Plimmer 53, Amelia Kerr 34*; Sachini Nisansala 1/22)
Result: New Zealand Women won by 8 wickets