Star batter Amelia Kerr, and Georgia Plimmer orchestrated a comfortable victory for New Zealand Women as they registered a comfortable eight-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, the game was held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, in Sharjah, on Saturday, October 12. As a result, the White Ferns are within touching distance of a spot in the semi-finals.
Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and elected to bat first on the sluggish Sharjah track. The Sri Lanka captain managed to get into double digits for the first time in the tournament as she stitched a 26-run stand for the first wicket with Vishmi Gunaratne. Eden Carson dismissed the latter in the fourth over to give New Zealand their first breakthrough.
Nilakshi de Silva and Ama Kanchana tried to score some boundaries in the death overs but New Zealand bowlers showed a lot of discipline and fielded well to keep the Asian side down to 115/5 after 20 overs. Amelia Kerr was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand as she finished with figures of 2/13 in four overs. Meanwhile, Leigh Kasperek also chipped in with two wickets, conceding 27 runs in four overs.
Also Read: Women’s T20 World Cup Points Table 2024
Georgia Plimmer’s half-century headlines New Zealand’s smooth chase
New Zealand openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer started the innings cautiously as the first boundary came in the fifth over. The powerplay yielded just 35 runs but the important aspect for the New Zealanders was the fact that they had all 10 wickets intact.
Bates was dismissed in the eighth over for a 22-ball 17 as Sachini Nisansala got the better of her. Amelia Kerr and Plimmer formed a 46-run partnership off 44 balls after the opening partnership yielded 49. Plimmer was dismissed shortly after registering her half-century. She made 53 off 44 balls, hitting four boundaries. Kerr remained unbeaten on 34 off 31 balls, while skipper Sophie Devine finished on 13 not out off eight. New Zealand romped home with 15 balls to spare.
Here’s how X reacted to Match 15 of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
New Zealand’s bowling effort shines as they restrict Sri Lanka to 115/5 in the Women’s #T20WorldCup! 👏#Cricket #BabarAzam𓃵
— Asim (@Asim17775) October 12, 2024
If Srilanka Women Beats New Zealand Women Today Then India’s Chance Of Qualify Increases.
— SACHIN (@NoMan_310) October 12, 2024
New Zealand fight back with the ball to restrict Sri Lanka to 115/5 in the Women’s T20 World Cup 😍🏏
One of the best bowling in this world cup..💯
Congratulations New Zealand 👏🏻🔥 pic.twitter.com/whuxWPr5MS
— தளபதி ரிஷி (@ThalapathiRISHI) October 12, 2024
New Zealand women beat Srilanka women by 8 wicket.#T20WorldCup
— Sportybuzz Cricket (@Sportybuzz1) October 12, 2024
New Zealand’s impressive bowling display has truly turned the match in their favor, restricting Sri Lanka to just 115 runs! It’s a remarkable effort that showcases their skill and determination in this Women’s T20 World Cup. Congratulations to the team for their outstanding…
— 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗬 (@revathyharini) October 12, 2024