On a day when missed alternatives turned the speaking level, Sri Lanka’s top-order was the greatest benefactor.
Against an in any other case disciplined New Zealand bowling assault, the Lankans prioritised partnership over energy and trundled to 258 for six, their highest complete towards the White Ferns in the format.
However, even earlier than the Kiwis might start their chase, persistent rain ended the contest.
The sparse but cheerful crowd at the R. Premadasa Stadium right here on Tuesday was witness to a multifaceted house facet, proper from the gradual and regular toil at the high to the accelerated method at the end.
Cautious begin
Opting to set a goal this time, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu was joined by Vishmi Gunaratne as the duo began cautiously.
Their contrasting kinds complemented one another, leading to a 101-run opening stand and Athapaththu’s first half-century in over 5 months.
The skipper seemed fluent, but the teen struggled to maintain tempo. The openers fell, forcing Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama to rebuild.
While the latter had a short but assured keep, the former performed the position of anchor after overcoming a shaky interval.
Nilakshika Silva was given the platform to tackle the bowlers from the get-go. She was off the mark with a boundary, lofting Sophie Devine over mid-on. That was the starting of an onslaught as she focused the proper deliveries and saved discovering the gaps.
Nilakshika introduced up the quickest half-century of this version — off 26 balls — with a heave in the direction of deep-midwicket. She ensured Sri Lanka closed out strongly by hammering three consecutive fours off the final over, making Devine’s nine-over spell the costliest.
The captain was, nonetheless, New Zealand’s clutch participant as soon as once more, choosing up three wickets, together with that of her counterpart Athapaththu.
The White Ferns will look again and rue the a number of possibilities they couldn’t utilise, together with an early nick by the harmful Athapaththu in addition to a handful of fumbled run outs and stumping possibilities by ’keeper Izzy Gaze.
The scores:
Sri Lanka 258/6 in 50 overs (Vishmi 42, Athapaththu 53, Hasini 44, Nilakshika 55 n.o., Devine 3/54) vs New Zealand; Match deserted.
