Womens ODI World Cup NZ vs SL: Sri Lankan top-order fires, however rain has the ultimate phrase

On a day when missed alternatives turned the speaking level, Sri Lanka’s top-order was the most important benefactor.

Against an in any other case disciplined New Zealand bowling assault, the Lankans prioritised partnership over energy and trundled to 258 for six, their highest complete towards the White Ferns within the format.

However, even earlier than the Kiwis may start their chase, persistent rain ended the competition.

The sparse however cheerful crowd on the R. Premadasa Stadium right here on Tuesday was witness to a multifaceted residence aspect, proper from the gradual and regular toil on the prime to the accelerated method on the end.

Cautious begin

Opting to set a goal this time, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu was joined by Vishmi Gunaratne because the duo began cautiously.

Their contrasting types complemented one another, leading to a 101-run opening stand and Athapaththu’s first half-century in over 5 months.

The skipper regarded fluent, however the teen struggled to maintain tempo. The openers fell, forcing Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama to rebuild.

While the latter had a quick however assured keep, the previous performed the function of anchor after overcoming a shaky interval.

Nilakshika Silva was given the platform to tackle the bowlers from the get-go. She was off the mark with a boundary, lofting Sophie Devine over mid-on. That was the start of an onslaught as she focused the proper deliveries and stored discovering the gaps.

Nilakshika introduced up the quickest half-century of this version — off 26 balls — with a heave in direction of deep-midwicket. She ensured Sri Lanka closed out strongly by hammering three consecutive fours off the ultimate over, making Devine’s nine-over spell the most costly.

The captain was, nonetheless, New Zealand’s clutch participant as soon as once more, selecting up three wickets, together with that of her counterpart Athapaththu.

The White Ferns will look again and rue the a number of possibilities they couldn’t utilise, together with an early nick by the damaging Athapaththu in addition to a handful of fumbled run outs and stumping possibilities by ’keeper Izzy Gaze.

The scores:

Sri Lanka 258/6 in 50 overs (Vishmi 42, Athapaththu 53, Hasini 44, Nilakshika 55 n.o., Devine 3/54) vs New Zealand; Match deserted.