Rain, Rain, Go Away! Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand ODI Washed Out
So, the first ODI between Sri Lanka Women and New Zealand Women in Napier? A total washout. Seriously, the rain just wouldn't stop. Talk about disappointing for the fans who braved the weather – and for the players, who were all geared up for a match.
Sri Lanka got to bat first, and Harshitha Samarawickrama really shone. She smashed a brilliant unbeaten 66 – that's impressive under any circumstances, especially with the rain hanging over everyone's heads like a dark cloud. They managed to reach 147 for 5 before the umpires finally called it a day after 36.4 overs. It wasn’t quite the full game, but Samarawickrama's performance definitely made it worth watching, at least for those of us who were able to tune in.
Samarawickrama’s Stellar Performance
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Sri Lanka though. Their start was shaky, losing wickets early on. Chamari Athapaththu was out for a disappointing 9. Things looked a bit grim at 94 for 4. You know how sometimes things just spiral? That’s how it felt for a minute there. But then, Samarawickrama stepped up. What a player! Seven fours – that woman can hit the ball! She steadied the ship, forming a crucial partnership with Vishmi Gunaratne. Unfortunately, Gunaratne’s departure brought another setback. A couple more wickets fell to Suzie Bates and Bree Illing, but Samarawickrama’s impressive batting kept them in the game. She notched up her second ODI fifty-plus score. Then, just as she and Nilakshika Silva (17) were looking to build a strong partnership, they were hit by a run-out. And then…the rain.
Missing Stars and New Faces
The match was also significant for the number of big names missing from the New Zealand team. Amelia Kerr, the ICC's Women's Cricketer and T20 Player of the Year, wasn't there because of her commitments with the Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL). Honestly, who saw that coming? This really highlights the huge impact these franchise leagues are having on international cricket. It’s a mixed bag, right? More money for the players is great, but it's also creating scheduling conflicts. Then there’s Sophie Devine, taking a well-being break. It’s understandable, but her absence, along with Lea Tahuhu, Molly Penfold, and Rosemary Mair, meant a big shakeup to the New Zealand lineup. It did, however, give some of the newer players a chance to shine. Bree Illing even made her international debut – what a moment for her.
What’s Next?
A washout is a disappointing result, but the series isn’t over. It leaves both teams hungry for the next game. Samarawickrama's performance gave us a glimpse of her talent, and New Zealand's challenges with player availability are clear. The remaining matches should be much more telling. With the weather hopefully cooperating, we can expect some thrilling cricket ahead. Let's hope the next matches give us a better idea of where both teams stand. It's gonna be a fight, I tell ya!
