By Deepak Sharma (Indian Correspondent)
E-mail: spacewalker008@gmail.com
Sharjah, UAE (12-10-2024): Amelia Kerr delivered a stellar all-round performance to steer New Zealand to an eight-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, keeping their semi-final hopes alive.
Kerr was instrumental with both bat and ball, first claiming 2 for 13 to restrict Sri Lanka to 115, and later contributing a crucial 34 off 31 balls to ensure New Zealand chased down the target with ease.
The White Ferns’ pursuit was anchored by a superb half-century from Georgia Plimmer, who scored 53 from 44 balls. Plimmer’s knock, alongside Kerr’s composed innings, helped New Zealand cruise to victory in just 17.3 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Innings: Sri Lanka started brightly, with openers Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu taking advantage of loose deliveries from New Zealand’s bowlers. However, the breakthrough came in the fourth over when Eden Carson bowled Gunaratne for 8.
Athapaththu, alongside Harshitha Samarawickrama, then forged a steady 48-run partnership, setting a solid foundation for Sri Lanka. Athapaththu top-scored with 35 from 41 balls before being bowled by Kerr, a key moment that swung the game in New Zealand’s favor.
Just five balls later, Samarawickrama (18) fell to a well-placed delivery by Leigh Kasperek, leaving Sri Lanka at 74/2. The middle order struggled to regain momentum, and despite Kavisha Dilhari’s inventive stroke play, Sri Lanka could only post 115/5. Nilakshika Silva (14*) and Ama Kanchana (10*) provided some late resistance.
New Zealand’s Innings: New Zealand’s chase started cautiously but gained momentum with Plimmer leading the charge. She smashed boundaries in consecutive overs, supported by Suzie Bates’ 17 before Bates was bowled by Sachini Nisansala.
Kerr, fresh from her bowling success, entered the fray and quickly settled, hitting a boundary off just her second ball. She and Plimmer guided New Zealand to 100 with ease, before Plimmer was finally dismissed for 53 by Athapaththu.
Kerr continued her composed knock, finishing unbeaten on 34, while captain Sophie Devine struck a six to seal the win with 15 balls to spare.
Match Summary:
Sri Lanka: 115/5 in 20 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 35, Harshitha Samarawickrama 18; Amelia Kerr 2/13, Leigh Kasperek 2/27)
New Zealand: 118/2 in 17.3 overs (Georgia Plimmer 53, Amelia Kerr 34; Chamari Athapaththu 1/8, Sachini Nisansala 1/24)
Result: New Zealand won by eight wickets.