New Zealand cricket group delivered a medical efficiency to register a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka within the second T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Sunday (March 16). With this emphatic victory, the White Ferns leveled the three-match sequence at 1-1, organising an exhilarating decider in Dunedin on Tuesday. The hosts dominated with each bat and ball, proscribing Sri Lanka to 113/7 earlier than chasing the goal comfortably with 9 balls to spare.
Disciplined bowling restricts Sri Lanka to 113/7
Opting to bowl first, New Zealand’s bowlers set the tone early with tight traces and disciplined lengths, by no means permitting the Sri Lankan batters to settle. Younger pacer Breearne Illing made a direct affect, selecting up a wicket within the opening over and one other within the seventh to complete with spectacular figures of two for 18 in simply her second T20I match. In the meantime, all-rounder Brooke Halliday (1/11 in two overs) and Suzie Bates (4-0-16-0) utilized strain with their economical spells, making certain that Sri Lanka struggled to realize momentum.
The guests relied on a 54-run partnership between Manudi Nanayakkara (35 off 32) and Nilakshika Silva (20 off 22) to stabilize their innings after early setbacks. Nonetheless, wickets at essential junctures, together with the dismissal of captain Chamari Athapaththu (23 off 29) by Jess Kerr (2 for 29), stored Sri Lanka in examine. A wicket on debut for Flora Devonshire additional dented their progress, and so they might solely handle 113/7 in 20 overs, a complete that appeared under par on an honest batting observe.
Additionally READ: NZ-W vs SL-W 2025: New Zealand’s greatest taking part in XI for the T20I sequence in opposition to Sri Lanka
Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday lead New Zealand’s chase
Chasing 114, New Zealand had a shaky begin, dropping Georgia Plimmer for simply 4 within the second over and Emma McLeod for 11 off 13 within the seventh, as Sri Lanka’s bowlers fought exhausting to defend the modest goal. Nonetheless, skilled batter Suzie Bates anchored the innings with a well-paced 47 off 46 balls, making certain that there have been no pointless dangers. She struck solely 4 boundaries however rotated the strike effectively, absorbing strain and constructing a powerful basis.
Bates’ dismissal within the fifteenth over with 29 runs nonetheless required might have put New Zealand in a tough state of affairs, however Halliday stepped up brilliantly, taking part in an unbeaten knock of 46 off 40 balls. She struck a number of boundaries within the sixteenth and 18th overs, accelerating on the proper moments to steer New Zealand to victory. Her composure and managed aggression helped the hosts attain 114/3 in 18.3 overs, securing a cushty win and making certain the sequence would go all the way down to the ultimate match.
New Zealand Bounce Again in Model! 🔥
They win the second Girls’s T20I in Christchurch to degree the three-match sequence 1-1! 🏏💪#Cricket #NewZealand #SriLanka #T20I #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/73BrcYKYuF
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) March 16, 2025
Additionally READ: NZ-W vs SL-W 2025: Sri Lanka’s greatest taking part in XI for the T20I sequence in opposition to New Zealand
This text was first revealed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Occasions firm.
