🏏ICC Women's T20I WC 2024: Group A: M 19- PakW vs NZW, Page 70🏏 - Page 48

Sri Lanka huff and puff their way to 115. At one stage, when Athapaththu was at the crease, it felt they would get much more. But her dismissal, coupled with Samarawickrama's departure soon after, meant that Sri Lanka lost plenty of momentum post the drinks break. There were cameos towards the end, but they were not enough to propel Sri Lanka past the 120-run mark.

NZ, meanwhile, will be largely pleased with their toil. They gave away 15 extras but apart from that, they stuck to their lines and lengths. Kerr was the pick of the bowlers, and she bagged a couple of wickets, including the scalp of the SL captain. Kasperek, playing her first game this tournament, was not shabby either, with Carson also doing her job inside the powerplay.

A couple of hours ago, Devine said that they would be in the game if they kept SL down to under 120. They have managed that and they will now want to back it up with a coherent batting display. Join us in a bit for the run-chase!

Leigh Kasperek: It was pretty warm. They got off to a solid start. She (Athapaththu) looked in good nick but the way we brought it back, was pleasing. We knew it was going to be hot. A lot of credit goes to the girls on the side-lines, who keep us cool. The pitch is good, it is coming on nicely. But it is a little bit sticky. Happy to keep it to (this score). I think we can chase it down. Anything under 120 is always chaseable in T20 cricket. But they have a good attack as well, so will be a good effort from us (to chase it down).

And, we are back. Bates and Plimmer will open, and a good start will go a long way in NZ chasing this total down. Kumari has the new ball. Around the wicket - here we go!

End of over 1

3 runs

NZ-W: 3/0

CRR: 3.00 • RRR: 5.94 • Need 113 from 114b

Suzie Bates

2 (4b)

Georgia Plimmer

1 (2b)

Sugandika Kumari

1-0-3-0

End of over 2

4 runs

NZ-W: 7/0

CRR: 3.50 • RRR: 6.05 • Need 109 from 108b

Suzie Bates

3 (6b)

Georgia Plimmer

4 (6b)

Udeshika Prabodhani

1-0-4-0

Sugandika Kumari

1-0-3-0

SLW 115/5 (20)

NZW 46/0 (6.5)

CRR: 6.73 REQ: 5.32

New Zealand Women need 70 runs in 79 balls

End of over 7

13 runs

NZ-W: 48/0

CRR: 6.85 • RRR: 5.23 • Need 68 from 78b

Suzie Bates

17 (20b 1x4)

Georgia Plimmer

31 (22b 3x4)

Kavisha Dilhari

1-0-13-0

Sugandika Kumari

3-0-15-0

Nisansala to Bates, OUT

Nisansala cleans Bates up!

Suzie Bates b Nisansala 17 (22b 1x4 0x6) SR: 77.27

50 up for New Zealand for a loss of one wicket in the 8th over.