New Zealand cricket team delivered a clinical performance to register a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Sunday (March 16). With this emphatic victory, the White Ferns leveled the three-match series at 1-1, setting up a thrilling decider in Dunedin on Tuesday. The hosts dominated with both bat and ball, restricting Sri Lanka to 113/7 before chasing the target comfortably with nine balls to spare.

Disciplined bowling restricts Sri Lanka to 113/7

Opting to bowl first, New Zealand’s bowlers set the tone early with tight lines and disciplined lengths, never allowing the Sri Lankan batters to settle. Young pacer Breearne Illing made an immediate impact, picking up a wicket in the opening over and another in the seventh to finish with impressive figures of 2 for 18 in just her second T20I match. Meanwhile, all-rounder Brooke Halliday (1/11 in two overs) and Suzie Bates (4-0-16-0) applied pressure with their economical spells, ensuring that Sri Lanka struggled to gain momentum.

The visitors relied on a 54-run partnership between Manudi Nanayakkara (35 off 32) and Nilakshika Silva (20 off 22) to stabilize their innings after early setbacks. However, wickets at crucial junctures, including the dismissal of captain Chamari Athapaththu (23 off 29) by Jess Kerr (2 for 29), kept Sri Lanka in check. A wicket on debut for Flora Devonshire further dented their progress, and they could only manage 113/7 in 20 overs, a total that seemed below par on a decent batting track.

Also READ: NZ-W vs SL-W 2025: New Zealand’s best playing XI for the T20I series against Sri Lanka

Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday lead New Zealand’s chase

Chasing 114, New Zealand had a shaky start, losing Georgia Plimmer for just 4 in the second over and Emma McLeod for 11 off 13 in the seventh, as Sri Lanka’s bowlers fought hard to defend the modest target. However, experienced batter Suzie Bates anchored the innings with a well-paced 47 off 46 balls, ensuring that there were no unnecessary risks. She struck only four boundaries but rotated the strike efficiently, absorbing pressure and building a strong foundation.

Bates’ dismissal in the 15th over with 29 runs still required could have put New Zealand in a tricky situation, but Halliday stepped up brilliantly, playing an unbeaten knock of 46 off 40 balls. She struck multiple boundaries in the 16th and 18th overs, accelerating at the right moments to steer New Zealand to victory. Her composure and controlled aggression helped the hosts reach 114/3 in 18.3 overs, securing a comfortable win and ensuring the series would go down to the final match.

New Zealand Bounce Back in Style! 🔥

They win the second Women’s T20I in Christchurch to level the three-match series 1-1! 🏏💪#Cricket #NewZealand #SriLanka #T20I #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/73BrcYKYuF

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) March 16, 2025

Also READ: NZ-W vs SL-W 2025: Sri Lanka’s best playing XI for the T20I series against New Zealand

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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