SL W VS NZ W MATCH 15

Okay then, both teams have shared one point each. New Zealand Women will remain in Colombo for their next fixture against Pakistan Women on Saturday, October 18. But, they will be desperately aiming to improve in the fielding department, as for a side like them, they made too many errors in ground fielding, which could prove very costly in crunch games. For Sri Lanka Women, they are set to take on South Africa Women on Friday, October 17, at the R. Premadasa Stadium. From here, each game will be like a must-win for them. Action will continue in Colombo as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 heats up. Next up, the unbeaten England Women face off against the bottom-placed Pakistan Women at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday, October 15, with the first ball set to be bowled at 9.30 am GMT. Don’t forget to tune in an hour early for all the pre-match buzz and buildup. And let's hope that there is no rain in that fixture. Until then, take care and adios.

Sri Lanka’s skipper, Chamari Athapaththu, says they read the conditions well and batted accordingly. She admits it’s unfortunate that the weather had the final say, but says that nature is beyond anyone’s control. Looking ahead, she mentions they still have three games remaining and will aim to perform strongly in all of them. Athapaththu also opens up about Vishmi’s role, explaining that although she’s their first-choice opener, a dip in form over the past few months saw her move down to number four. Adds that after discussions with the coach and selectors, they decided to bring her back to open alongside her, a move that, she says, paid off nicely for the team. She praises Nilakshika Silva, calling her one of the most experienced players in the side and noting that she has been playing excellent cricket over the past 12 months. She says the total they put up was a defendable one, though she feels that they probably missed out on another 20-25 runs. Shares that in the innings break, she spoke to her bowlers about staying aggressive, attacking the stumps, and keeping the batters under pressure. Looking ahead, Athapaththu admits that the next game is crucial, stressing that Sri Lanka need to win all three of their remaining matches. She acknowledges there are still areas to improve, but hopes they get a full game next time.

The captain of New Zealand, Sophie Devine, admits that Sri Lanka batted really well and this has been the theme of this tournament, where if you have wickets in hand, you can accelerate later. Believes that this was a good cricket wicket and 240-250 was a par total on this track. Reckons that, for her as a captain, it is a mix of match-ups and gut instincts, and what is working on that particular day in terms of the bowling options. Further says that she looks where she can fit in with the ball, and in this game, the need was to contain one end and bowl stump to stump, which she thinks suits her bowling style. Believes that Pakistan are going to be a handful in these conditions and have already shown what they can do. Adds that they will review this game and come up with new plans for the next game.

UPDATE - 3.47 pm GMT - That’s it! The umpires have called it off. Rain has had the final say. THE MATCH IS ABANDONED. The captains have shaken hands, and that’s the end of it. Such a shame we couldn’t get any further play. We seemed set for an exciting chase of 30 overs, but then rain returned and refused to relent. As a result, the inevitable and unfortunate decision to call it off had to be made. As it continues to rain, the captains' interview will be done indoors.

Who really benefits if this game gets abandoned? No one, actually. Both sides would only collect a point each, but for Sri Lanka Women, it would be a real setback. This was an excellent showing from them, and they genuinely have a real chance to win here, so sharing points would be deeply frustrating. They already have a washout to their name against Australia and are still searching for their first win of the tournament, which makes their road to the knockouts even tougher. As for New Zealand Women, currently sitting mid-table, a single point won’t do them much good either. They’ll be eager to take full points from this fixture, even if it is a shortened game, especially with tougher games lined up ahead, against India and England.

UPDATE - 3.20 pm GMT - PFFT... Scratch it. RAIN IS BACK IN COLOMBO. The covers are being brought back again. Just when we were inching closer to the resumption, the rain has disrupted everything. Eyes will be on the clock as well, as we have less than an hour remaining for the cutoff time. And as we are typing, it seems that the rain has picked up its intensity. This doesn't look good at all. Fingers crossed.

UPDATE - 3.19 pm GMT - We have some good news! The official word is that the play will resume at 3.45 pm GMT and the chase has been reduced to 30 overs.

UPDATE - 3.02 pm GMT - More movement on the field as the umpires have made their way out for an inspection. They are currently inspecting the wet patches due to the heavy downpour. We should be getting a resumption time very soon. But conditions applied - IF there is no further rain. The covers are yet to be fully peeled off, though.

UPDATE - 2.31 pm GMT - It has stopped raining, but the covers are soaking wet. The ground staff are now gathering around the covers and starting to peel them off. Pommie Mbangwa informs us that 4.20 pm GMT is the cut-off time for a 20-over chase. Let’s hope there is no more rain and that the ground staff can complete their work without any interruptions.

UPDATE - 2.10 pm GMT - Uh oh! The rain has returned, and the covers are back on. It is coming down heavily, and we are once again in a waiting game.

UPDATE - 2.04 pm GMT - The rain has subsided, and the ground staff are quick to make their way out to the centre for the mop-up work. Given the heavy downpour and strong breeze, covering the outfield was challenging, and it has resulted in some puddles. It will take the ground staff a fair bit of time to get the ground ready for play. Their first task is to deal with the water pooled on the covers and ensure it does not spill onto the ground.

UPDATE - 1.29 pm GMT - It is absolutely pelting down now, but the good thing is that in this part of the world, the entire ground is covered, and the ground staff are currently in the process of doing just that. We have an hour's buffer time before we start losing overs. Stick around for further updates.

UPDATE - 1.24 pm GMT - Oh, no! It has started to rain, and the covers are coming on. It has been raining at night in Colombo over the past couple of days, and while the grey clouds threatened to interrupt play during the first innings, it held up well. Let’s hope this passes quickly.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

New Zealand were far from their best with the ball and especially in the field. A couple of reviews that they might have taken in hindsight were missed, several catches were dropped, and there were lapses in ground fielding. They will need to put all of that behind them if they are to chase down 259. While the surface is not a belter, there is not a huge amount of turn either. There is enough to keep the spinners interested, and the Lankan spin attack will want to make the most of it. It remains to be seen if conditions ease under the lights, particularly with the potential for dew. Back in a bit for the chase.

Sri Lanka's Vishmi Gunarathne is up for a chat with Pommie Mbangwa. She says it is a good score as they got a few good partnerships in the middle. Shares that she was always reminding herself to play her natural game and stay calm. On the surface, she details that it is a good track to bat and stresses that the bowlers should bowl on good lines and lengths. Ends by appreciating Nilakshika Silva's cameo in the end and says that it helped them to post a good total on the board.

After the openers were dismissed, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera carried the momentum forward and waited for the right moment to accelerate. When Sri Lanka went on the attack, they experienced a brief wobble with a few quick wickets, but Nilakshika Silva remained unfazed and blazed her way to a 26-ball fifty, the fastest of this tournament, to provide the desired finish for her side. While the White Ferns showed inconsistency with their bowling discipline, their captain, Sophie Devine, shone through with an impressive three-wicket haul.

Whenever they overpitched, Chamari was quick to capitalise, while Vishmi Gunarathne, though scratchy at the start, grew in confidence as the innings progressed. The change in opening combination worked well for Sri Lanka, as the pair added 101 runs for the first wicket, though both batters had their share of luck with missed catches and run-out opportunities. None proved more costly than when Chamari, on 12, edged one behind to the keeper, but with no one apart from the keeper hearing it, the White Ferns opted against a review.

80 runs off the final 10 overs for Sri Lanka, and they will be quite happy with this score! The last 5 overs alone produced 47 runs, thanks largely to Nilakshika Silva’s flourish. It is only half the job done, but it is a job well executed. After the toss went her way, Chamari Athapaththu chose to bat first and put runs on the board. Sophie Devine did not mind the call, as New Zealand were keen to bowl first anyway. However, her pacers could not quite make the most of the swing available with the new ball.