New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in Match 15 of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Sri Lanka set a target of 116 runs, which New Zealand chased down in 17.3 overs. Georgia Plimmer scored 53 runs from 44 balls, and Amelia Kerr remained not out with 34 runs from 31 balls. Their strong batting helped New Zealand easily win the match.
Sri Lanka’s poor form continues in World Cup
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first in the match. Captain Chamari Athapaththu gave her team a strong start in the powerplay, and by the end of 3 overs, Sri Lanka was at 26 without losing a wicket. However, in the 4th over, Eden Carson took the wicket of Vishmi Gunarathne, and after that, Sri Lanka’s run rate slowed down. By 10 overs, they had scored 57 runs.
When Athapaththu was still at the crease, it seemed like Sri Lanka might post a bigger total, but after the drinks break, her dismissal and the quick loss of Harshita Samarawickrama put Sri Lanka on the back foot. Despite a few small contributions towards the end, Sri Lanka struggled to reach 120 and finished with 115/5.
Captain Athapaththu top-scored with 35 runs, Samarawickrama made 18, while Nilakshika Silva and Ama Kanchana chipped in with 14 and 10 runs, respectively.
Kasperek – Kerr best bowling performance
New Zealand’s bowlers did a great job with their accurate line and length. Leigh Kasperek and Amelia Kerr each took 2 wickets, while Eden Carson also picked up 1 wicket keeping the pressure on Sri Lanka throughout the innings.
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka with clinical batting
New Zealand delivered a clinical performance! Their bowlers, particularly the spinners, did a great job in restricting Sri Lanka to just 115 runs, even though Chamari Athapaththu got off to a decent start. In response, New Zealand didn’t begin aggressively and failed to hit a boundary in the first four overs, with Suzie Bates struggling to find her rhythm.
However, Georgia Plimmer stepped up when needed, using her footwork to score most of her runs down the ground. She brought up her second T20I fifty, and her solid partnership of 46 runs with Amelia Kerr nearly sealed the game for New Zealand. Georgia Plimmer played a great innings, scoring 53 runs from 44 balls with just four boundaries. She was dismissed by Chamari Athapaththu when New Zealand was close to winning.
Amelia Kerr stayed not out with 34 runs from 31 balls, putting in a strong all-round performance. Captain Sophie Devine finished the game quickly, hitting 13 runs from 8 balls, helping New Zealand win with 2.3 overs left.
Plimmer awarded as player of the match for her brillient performance.
Conclusion
New Zealand will head into their final group match against Pakistan on Monday, fully aware of what they need to do to secure a spot in the semifinals. With four teams still in the running for a place in the final four, the match will be crucial for New Zealand’s qualification hopes.
On the other hand, this loss confirms Sri Lanka’s exit from the tournament, as they are now the first team to be eliminated. They end their campaign without a win in their completed group matches.
