Match Report 2nd T20I – New Zealand Women vs Sri

Match Report: 2nd T20I – New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women, March 16, 2025, NZ vs SL [W] 2024/25

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New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in Christchurch, leveling the series at 1-1. Sri Lanka struggled to 113 for 7, with Manudi Nanayakkara top-scoring at 35. Bree Illing shone with the ball, taking 2 for 18, while Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday starred in the chase with scores of 47 and 46 not out, respectively. Bates was named player of the match for her all-round performance, including bowling four overs for 16 runs. Despite losing early wickets, New Zealand comfortably reached 117 for 3 with nine balls to spare. The final T20I will be in Dunedin on Tuesday.

New Zealand 117 for 3 (Bates 47, Halliday 46*) defeated Sri Lanka 113 for 7 (Nanyakkara 35, Illing 2-18) by seven wickets

Outstanding all-round contributions from Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday, combined with a notable bowling performance from Bree Illing, propelled New Zealand to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Christchurch, leveling the series at 1-1.

The New Zealand bowlers set an impressive tone after winning the toss and choosing to bowl, limiting Sri Lanka to 113 for 7 in their 20 overs. Bates and Halliday then chipped in with scores of 47 and 46 not out respectively, leading the hosts to victory with seven wickets and nine balls remaining. Bates was named player of the match after also delivering four overs for just 16 runs, while Halliday contributed with the ball, taking 1 for 12, in addition to marking her highest T20I score.

Illing took advantage of the early morning conditions, claiming a wicket in the first over and another in the seventh as she bowled effectively with the new ball, ending with figures of 2 for 18 in just her second T20I after failing to take a wicket in her debut on Friday.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu was effectively contained by Eden Carson, Jess Kerr, and Bates, with the latter bowling a maiden over to Athapaththu in her initial over. The pressure on the scoreboard became evident when Kerr bowled her out for 23 off 29 balls in the ninth over, leaving Sri Lanka at 3 for 46.

This quickly became 4 for 53 when debutant Flora Devonshire claimed a wicket in her first over in international cricket.

Sri Lanka found some stability through a 54-run partnership between Manudi Nanayakkara and Nilakshika Silva. Nanyakkara scored 35 from 32 balls, including four boundaries, while Silva made 20 from 22 balls. However, both players struggled to accelerate as Bates maintained a tight spell with four overs for just 16 runs, while Halliday also picked up a wicket in her two overs for 11 runs. In the final over, Kerr secured a wicket to finish with figures of 2 for 29.

New Zealand’s chase began on a shaky note, with Georgia Plimmer caught behind in the second over for a mere 4 runs. Emma McLeod soon followed in the seventh over, scoring a slow 11 from 13 balls, but Bates steadied the innings at the other end. With the knowledge that she needed less than a run-a-ball, Bates managed four boundaries and only faced consecutive dot balls once during her innings of 46 balls before being caught and bowled in the 15th over, with 29 runs still required for victory.

Halliday ensured a smooth finish, hitting multiple boundaries in the 16th and 18th overs as she scored 46 not out off 40 balls, leading her side home and surpassing her previous T20I best of 38.

The series will be decided in the third T20I in Dunedin on Tuesday.

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