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Sport Nation
White Ferns crushed by Sri Lanka in opening T20
Sport Nation • March 14th, 2025 9:45 pm
Photo: Photosport
Sri Lanka have made an early statement in the T20 series against the White Ferns with an emphatic seven-wicket win in the opening match of the series in Christchurch.
After New Zealander capitulated in under 19 overs for a meagre total of 101, the Sri Lankans - anchored by star batter Chamari Athapaththu's brilliance - clinically dismantled the NZ attack to clinch victory with ease, coasting to 102/3 in the 15th over.
Athapaththu slayed the NZ attack with nine fours and a pair of mammoth sixes, needing just 48 balls for her undefeated 64.
After Suzie Bates had helped the White Ferns recover from the early loss of Georgia Plimmer, the locals moving at a steady pace at 2/39 in the fifth over, her departure coincided with a brutal collapse.
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The hosts lost three wickets for just eight runs, then the final five for only 20 to be bundled out with one ball remaining in the 19th over.
Newcomer Emma McLeod was the one shining light for New Zealand, playing a mature knock of 44 off 46 balls.
After a speedy start from Sri Lanka, the Ferns appeared to have nabbed the crucial wicket of Athapaththu, only for the LBW decision off Bree Illing to be reversed on review.
Jess Kerr (2/18) managed to nab a pair of wickets but the result never genuinely seemed in doubt, as skipper Athapaththu quickly took the game out of reach.
The teams meet again on Sunday at the same venue.
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