The New Zealand WHITE FERNS have taken an unbeatable 2-0 lead in their Twenty20 International Series — but not without a fight from Sri Lanka.
Scorecard
As the maiden bilateral T20 Series moved to Nelson, Sri Lanka adapted quicker to fresh conditions, light rain having swept across Saxton Oval ahead of the game.
It wasn’t enough to deter captain Suzie Bates from electing to bat but, at 28/3 in the sixth over it was Sri Lanka who, for the first time in the Series, held the early advantage.
Opener Bates played a captain’s knock, falling just one ball short of carrying her bat as she was run out off the final delivery of the innings.
By then, the player of the day had taken a 44-ball half century (her ninth for the WHITE FERNS) en route to 69, pushing the WHITE FERNS’ total out to 114/7.
It would prove a vital hand, despite Ama Kanchana's skiddy 3-22.
Ama Kanchana adapted well to conditions. Photosport
Neither side was at their best in the field, and Sri Lanka’s openers looked to capitalise as they chased a required run rate of just under a run a ball.
As Chamari Athapaththu and Prasadani Weerakkody put on 64 for the first wicket, their hopes grew of finally upsetting the side that had dominated them all tour.
Rachel Priest appeals for the stumping. Photosport
But when Weerakkody was stumped off Bates, the game quickly swung back into the WHITE FERNS’ grasp as Bates charged on to take 3-23.
Leigh Kasperek took her first triple wicket maiden. Photosport
Leigh Kasperek then trumped her skipper with 3-7 after closing the game out with a triple wicket maiden to hold Sri Lanka to 103/8. It may have been an ugly win, but the net result was an 11 run victory and the Series in the bag at 2-0.
The match was Sara McGlashan's 200th for the WHITE FERNS in all formats, the first New Zealander to achieve the milestone.
Saxton Oval will host the final match in the Series on Sunday at 2pm.
