SLW vs NZW Match Preview
Openers Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne got the Sri Lankan team off to a great start in the previous match, posting 159 runs for the 1st wicket in just over 25 overs, and will be looking to do the same here. Athapaththu was fluent with her shots and scored a blazing century, while Gunaratne got out after scoring a well-made 50.
The middle order has remained untested in this match and it will be interesting to see how they perform when put under pressure. There are some strong players in the team including Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, and Harshitha Madavi. All-rounders Kavisha Dilhari and Oshadi Ranasinghe add depth to the batting.
Ranasinghe is expected to lead the pace attack along with Udeshika Prabodhani, while Kavisha, Inoka Ranaweera, and Sugandika Kumari will feature in the spin attack.
The visitors will be banking on Suzie Bates, who is among the most experienced players on the team, to give them a good start here. Her opening partner, Bernadine Bezuidenhout looked a bit out of depth as she faced the spinners early on in the match. There are some strong performers in the middle order, including skipper Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, and Maddy Green.
Young Georgia Plimmer, who was playing just the 3rd ODI of her career, looked quite promising and will likely play an important role going ahead.
The bowlers had a very disappointing day and will like to turn things around here. They were completely dominated by the Sri Lankan openers and were hit all around the park right from the word go. New Zealand has plenty of options like Lea Tahuhu, Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Hannah Rowe in its seam attack, while the spinners include Amelia Kerr, Fran Jonas, and Eden Carson.
Weather Report
The weather will remain warm and humid and the skies are expected to remain overcast.
Pitch Report
The pitch at the Galle Stadium is good to bat on. The surface is flat and there is very little grass here. The quicker bowlers will need to bowl a good line and length or they will be taken for plenty of runs. There is a good amount of turn for the spinners as the ball tends to grip the surface.
Notable stats
Sophie Devine’s all-round performance
Over the years, Sophie Devine has contributed well with the bat as well as the ball for New Zealand. She has scored 3349 runs at an average of 30.17 and has also picked up 90 wickets.
Team News
There are no updates regarding injuries from either side.
SLW vs NZW Probable 11
SLW Playing 11
- Chamari Athapaththu (C)
- Vishmi Gunaratne
- Harshitha Madavi
- Nilakshi De Silva
- Anushka Sanjeewani (Wk)
- Kavisha Dilhari
- Oshadi Ranasinghe
- Inoka Ranaweera
- Sugandika Kumari
- Udeshika Prabodhani
- Hansima Karunaratne
NZW Playing 11
- Sophie Devine (C)
- Suzie Bates
- Amelia Kerr
- Bernadine Bezuidenhout (Wk)
- Maddy Green
- Georgia Plimmer
- Brooke Halliday
- Hannah Rowe
- Lea Tahuhu
- Eden Carson
- Fran Jonas
Dream11 Prediction
We are backing Sri Lanka Women to win here. While their record against the New Zealand women hasn’t been the best, the win in the first match of this tour should give them plenty of confidence. The visitors, especially the bowlers, looked clueless on the field and we expect their struggles to continue.
Top Picks
Chamari Athapaththu: Athapaththu is the mainstay of the Sri Lankan batting line-up. In her last 10 matches, she has scored 537 runs at an average of 59.66.
Inoka Ranaweera: Inoka Ranaweera is one of the most experienced spinners on the Sri Lankan squad, and has picked up 77 wickets in 68 matches. Her economy rate is pretty good too, at just 4.25 runs per over.
Suzie Bates: Suzie Bates has scored 5295 runs in her ODI career at an average of 41.36 and has also picked up 75 wickets.
SLW vs NZW Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: A Sanjeewani
Batters: S Bates, M Green, V Rajapaksha Gunaratne
All-rounders: A Kerr (VC), S Devine, C Atapattu (C), O Ranasinghe, K Dilhari
Bowlers: I Ranaweera, S Kumari
