On Sunday, March 9, the third and final ODI between Sri Lanka Women (SL-W) and New Zealand Women (NZ-W) took place at Saxton Oval in Nelson. After winning the toss, the home team decided to bat first.
Georgia Plimmer and captain Suzie Bates started the innings steadily.
After ten overs, they used aggression and caution to get the side to 45/0. Before Bates was removed in the 22nd over for a solid 53 runs off 69 balls, both batsmen kept up their good work. The hitters’ solid foundation of 108 off 131 balls allowed them to potentially raise the team total to a very competitive level.
Although she joined Plimmer, Emma McLeod (4 off 19) did not stay. Subsequent batters Brooke Halliday (36 off 42) and Maddy Green (32 off 24) joined Plimmer in scoring partnerships of 50 or more runs. Plimmer scored her first international century off 113 balls during Green’s partnership. Eight fours and two sixes were hit in the 21-year-old’s knock, and the stage was set for the death-over assault when she was removed for 112 off 120.
NZ-W finished at 280/6 after scoring 49 runs in the final six overs. Sugandika Kumari, who finished with stats of 3/70, was the best bowler for SL-W. The other wicket-takers were Sachini Nisansala, Chamari Athapaththu, and Achini Kulasuriya, who each claimed one.
The visitors lost their top order for just 23 runs in the first 10 overs, which was a bad start. The only destroyer, taking all three of the wickets to fall, was Jess Kerr, a 27-year-old right-armer. From this point on, SL-W had a difficult time defeating the opposition. The only batters to save the face were Anushka Sanjeewani (23 off 34), Nilakshika Silva (45 off 73), and Kavisha Dilhari (45 off 54). In actuality, they were losing the battle.
SL-W was ultimately bowled out for 182 off the final ball of the game. The two most notable bowlers were Fran Jonas (3/40) and Kerr (3/22). With this victory, the host team also secured a 2-0 series triumph.
Maddy Green was named Player of the Series for her 132 runs and one wicket, while Plimmer was named Player of the Match for her outstanding effort.
India
