Jobaaj Stories
Sri Lanka Women vs New Zealand Women: Washed Out ODI in Napier
The first One Day International (ODI) between Sri Lanka Women and New Zealand Women in Napier ended in a washout due to persistent rain, leaving fans disappointed. Despite Harshitha Samarawickrama's impressive unbeaten 66, the match was abandoned after 36.4 overs with Sri Lanka at 147 for 5.
Samarawickrama's Steady Hand Amidst Early Setbacks
After being asked to bat, Sri Lanka experienced a shaky start, losing early wickets and slumping to 94 for 4. Chamari Athapaththu's early dismissal for 9 didn't help matters. However, Samarawickrama's resolute batting, including seven fours, steadied the ship. She formed a crucial partnership with Vishmi Gunaratne before Gunaratne's departure. Further wickets fell to Suzie Bates and Bree Illing, but Samarawickrama's second ODI fifty-plus score kept Sri Lanka in the game. A promising partnership between Samarawickrama and Nilakshika Silva (17) was unfortunately cut short by a run-out before the rain intervened.
Impact of Key Absences for New Zealand
The match was also notable for several key absences from the New Zealand team. Amelia Kerr, the ICC's women's cricketer and T20 player of the year, missed the game due to her commitments with the Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL). This highlights the growing impact of lucrative franchise leagues on international cricket. Sophie Devine is also absent, taking a well-being break, further impacting the New Zealand team composition. Other notable absentees include Lea Tahuhu, Molly Penfold, and Rosemary Mair. The absence of these players provided opportunities for new faces in the White Ferns squad, including Bree Illing who made her international debut.
Looking Ahead
The washout leaves both teams eager for the next encounter in the series. While the first match provided a glimpse of Samarawickrama's talent and highlighted New Zealand's challenges with player availability, the series promises exciting cricket. With the remaining matches scheduled, both teams will be looking to build on their performances and capitalize on the opportunities presented. The next matches should provide a clearer picture of the relative strengths of both teams, given the disruptions caused by weather and player absences in the first ODI.
