The first ODI between New Zealand Women and Sri Lanka Women at the McLean Park in Napier was significantly disrupted by rain, putting a halt to the first innings. New Zealand won the toss and elected to field, hoping to capitalize on any early movement the conditions had to offer.
Injury-hit New Zealand handed international debuts to Breearne Illing, Polly Inglis and Emma McLeod. Sri Lanka, led by Chamari Athapaththu, went in with a pretty balanced playing XI, bolstering a mixture of experience and youth.
Illing, while playing his first international match, gave New Zealand the first wicket of the day. Athapaththu tried to put pressure on the left-arm seamer but mistimed a pull shot and holed out near the circle.
Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Madavi Samarawickrama joined forces for a 45-run partnership. Just when Sri Lanka had started to assert dominance, Jess Kerr struck with a crucial wicket as Gunaratne nicked the ball to Inglis, who was also making her debut.
Also read: New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women 1st ODI: Match Preview & Where to watch live?
Kavisha Dilhari, Manudi Nanayakkara fell cheaply as the visitors got reduced to 93/4. While it looked as if the White Ferns were running away with the game, Samarawickrama along with Nilakshi de Silva brought Sri Lanka back in the contest. They forged a 44-run stand for the fifth wicket. Their partnership could have extended further, but Eden Carson nailed a direct-hit to dismiss de Silva.
Rain Plays Spoilsport as Sri Lanka’s Innings Ends Early
At a crucial juncture, rain caused an interference, forcing the players to go back to the dressing room. This put a damper on the first innings with Sri Lanka’s score reading 147/5 in 36.4 overs. Samarawickrama and Anushka Sanjeewani were batting unbeaten on 66 and two runs respectively. As the downpour remained constant, it also brought an early end to the first innings.
12:30 PM IST is the latest the play could restart in Napier.
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