New Zealand cricket staff 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, establishing an exciting decider in Dunedin on Tuesday. The hosts dominated with each bat and ball, limiting 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 an instantaneous impression, choosing 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, guaranteeing that Sri Lanka struggled to achieve 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. Nevertheless, wickets at essential junctures, together with the dismissal of captain Chamari Athapaththu (23 off 29) by Jess Kerr (2 for 29), saved Sri Lanka in test. A wicket on debut for Flora Devonshire additional dented their progress, they usually might solely handle 113/7 in 20 overs, a complete that appeared beneath par on an honest batting observe.
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Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday lead New Zealand’s chase
Chasing 114, New Zealand had a shaky begin, shedding 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 laborious to defend the modest goal. Nevertheless, skilled batter Suzie Bates anchored the innings with a well-paced 47 off 46 balls, guaranteeing that there have been no pointless dangers. She struck solely 4 boundaries however rotated the strike effectively, absorbing strain and constructing a robust basis.
Bates’ dismissal within the fifteenth over with 29 runs nonetheless required might have put New Zealand in a tough scenario, however Halliday stepped up brilliantly, enjoying 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 guaranteeing the sequence would go right down to the ultimate match.
New Zealand Bounce Again in Type! 🔥
They win the second Ladies’s T20I in Christchurch to stage 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 best playing XI for the T20I series against New Zealand
This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
