The victory over Sri Lanka at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 improved New Zealand’s potential of reaching the semi-finals. New Zealand will go into their last group match against Pakistan on Monday knowing exactly what they need to do to qualify from a group in which four teams are still mathematically in position to make the final four.
Georgia Plimmer’s quickfire half-century propelled New Zealand to an important eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka. After this win, they increased their prospects of finishing in the top two of a highly competitive Group A, with a winning total of 118/2 and 2.3 overs remaining. However, with this loss, Sri Lanka became the first team to have their tournament end early, leaving without a win in their now-completed group schedule.
New Zealand’s Semi-Final Chances
Melanie Kerr, a White Ferns all-rounder, ensured that Athapaththu could not get off on his strong start. Melanie Kerr played an important part in limiting Sri Lanka in the middle overs, taking 2/13 in four overs. And Kerr (34*) was part of a great batting performance by the New Zealand top order as they cruised to win in good time.
Eventually, it gave New Zealand a big net run rate gain that might prove vital. Kerr got two for 13 with the ball as Sri Lanka set the White Ferns 115 to win before scoring a critical 34 off 31 balls to lead her team home. Kerr worked with captain Sophie Devine to pull them across the line. These efforts kept her team’s semi-final chances alive.
Strong Start in Chase
Sri Lanka started their innings well. With openers Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu found the boundaries in the first few overs, taking advantage of some loose New Zealand bowling. Eden Carson bowled Gunaratne for eight in the fourth over, giving the White Ferns an important early breakthrough. Captain Athapaththu and new batter Harshitha Samarawickrama worked well together to calm the Sri Lankan ship.
Both shared a massive 48-run stand to lay the basis for the Sri Lankan team’s success. Athapaththu led the way with 35 off 41 runs before spinner Kerr took her first wicket of the day, bowling the Sri Lanka captain. That proved a decisive intervention, as Sri Lanka went 74 for two. Samarawickrama fell for 18 only five balls later after failing to chip to extra cover off a superb delivery from Leigh Kasperek.
In the final five overs, Sri Lanka attempted to reply, with Kavisha Dilhari hitting an impressive Dil-scoop to boost her team’s run rate. After a tough first four overs handling Sri Lanka’s spin attack, the right-hander opened up with boundaries on the first ball of back-to-back overs. Sri Lanka attempted to put out efforts, but it was New Zealand’s day. Kivies grabbed control of the game by achieving an eight-wicket triumph against Sri Lanka.
Final Words
Sri Lanka exited the 2024 World T20WC without winning a single game on October 12 after a crushing defeat to New Zealand. Rumesh Rathnayake, the head coach of Sri Lanka, stated that the team was under pressure to perform well, so their performances fell short of expectations. After losing their first three games, Sri Lanka could not move on to the next round.
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