Sri Lanka A Women secured a dramatic three-wicket victory over New Zealand A Women in the opening T20 in Dambulla, completing the chase with three balls remaining. The match saw momentum shift repeatedly, with both sides contributing in phases to produce a closely fought contest.
New Zealand A rebuild after early losses
Batting first, New Zealand A Women lost captain Jess Watkin early, trapped lbw by Chamudi Praboda for 7 off four balls with the score at 11 in 1.3 overs. Bella James showed intent with two boundaries in her 9-ball 9, but wickets continued to fall as Sri Lanka A maintained control.
Sathya Sandeepani removed Tash Wakelin for 15, while Bella Armstrong was dismissed without scoring, leaving the visitors at 25/3 inside five overs.
The innings was stabilised through a 38-run partnership between Prue Catton and JA Watkins. Catton scored 25 off 26 balls, hitting three boundaries, while Watkins added 20 off 24 deliveries. However, Sachini Nisansala broke the stand by dismissing both batters, shifting momentum back towards Sri Lanka A.
Kate Gaging then provided a late boost with an unbeaten 35 from 27 balls, striking six boundaries. Supported by Hannah Rowe’s 10*, the pair added valuable runs in the closing stages to take New Zealand A Women to 129/6 in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka A bowlers deliver collective effort
Sri Lanka A Women’s bowling unit produced a disciplined performance, with Sathya Sandeepani returning figures of 2/12 from three overs. Sachini Nisansala matched that impact with 2/12 in four overs, while Chamudi Praboda claimed 2/28.
Rashmika Sewwandi and Dewmi Vihanga supported effectively, helping restrict the visitors below the 130-run mark.
Late partnership turns the chase
Chasing 130, Sri Lanka A Women began aggressively, with Sanjana Kavindi striking two boundaries in her 8 off three balls before being dismissed by Hannah Rowe in the opening over.
Vishmi Gunaratne then anchored the innings with 27 from 31 balls, but regular wickets kept New Zealand A in the contest. Emma Black removed Vimoksha Balasuriya for 7, while Kayley Knight struck twice to dismiss Sathya Sandeepani and Sumudu Nisansala, reducing the hosts to 79/6 in 14.3 overs.
The turning point came with a counterattacking stand between Piumi Wathsala and Rashmika Sewwandi. Wathsala remained unbeaten on 21 off 16 balls, while Sewwandi scored 26 from 16 deliveries, including three boundaries and a six. Their partnership brought Sri Lanka A back into the game before Sewwandi was dismissed at 118/7 in the 18.4th over.
Gimhani seals the win
After Sewwandi’s departure, Sri Lanka A held their composure. Shashini Gimhani finished the chase with an unbeaten 7 off two balls, including a six, alongside Wathsala, guiding the team to 131/7 in 19.3 overs.
For New Zealand A Women, Hannah Rowe was effective with 2/22 in four overs, while Kayley Knight picked up 2/27. Emma Black, Jess Watkin, and Bella Armstrong claimed one wicket each, but the visitors were unable to contain Sri Lanka A in the final overs.
Brief Scores
- New Zealand A Women 129/6 in 20 overs (Gaging 35*, Catton 25; Sandeepani 2-12, Nisansala 2-12)
- Sri Lanka A Women 131/7 in 19.3 overs (Gunaratne 27, Sewwandi 26, Wathsala 21*; Rowe 2-22, Knight 2-27)
- Sri Lanka A Women won by 3 wickets
