NZW vs SLW Live Score | Rain Plays Spoilsport in 1st ODI Between New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women | Sri Lanka Women tour of New Zealand 2025

Rain Forces No Result in 1st ODI Between New Zealand Women and Sri Lanka Women

Cricket fans were left disappointed as rain interrupted the highly anticipated 1st ODI between New Zealand Women and Sri Lanka Women in the ICC Championship series. Played at McLean Park, Napier, the match saw Sri Lanka Women post 147/5 in 36.4 overs before heavy rain forced the match to be abandoned, resulting in a no result.

Sri Lanka Women’s Batting Performance Before Rain

Winning the toss, New Zealand Women opted to bowl first, hoping to capitalize on the pitch conditions. Sri Lanka Women’s captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front but fell early after scoring just nine runs, caught by Jess Kerr off Bree Illing. Her dismissal set the tone for a cautious innings from the Sri Lankan batters.

Vishmi Gunaratne looked steady at the crease but struggled to accelerate, scoring 30 runs off 48 balls before falling to Jess Kerr. Harshitha Samarawickrama played a responsible knock, remaining unbeaten at 66 off 97 deliveries, anchoring the innings as wickets fell around her.

Kavisha Dilhari and Manudi Nanayakkara couldn't contribute much, as Dilhari was bowled by Suzie Bates after making six, while Nanayakkara was trapped LBW by Bree Illing for just one. Nilakshi de Silva provided a late spark with a brisk 17 off 33 before being run out by Eden Carson.

Anushka Sanjeewani remained not out at the other end with 2 runs, as Sri Lanka reached 147/5 before the rain disrupted play.

New Zealand’s Bowling Attack Shows Promise

New Zealand’s bowlers made it tough for Sri Lanka, with Bree Illing leading the attack. The right-arm pacer claimed two wickets for 42 runs in her 10 overs, including the key dismissals of Athapaththu and Nanayakkara. Jess Kerr was economical, taking one wicket for 21 runs in 6.4 overs.

Suzie Bates, captaining the New Zealand side, rolled her arm over for six overs and dismissed Kavisha Dilhari while conceding just 18 runs. Eden Carson also maintained pressure, giving away only 34 runs in six overs.

Despite their disciplined performance, the New Zealand bowlers were denied the chance to bowl out the Sri Lankan side due to the untimely rain interruption.

Rain Disrupts the Game and Frustrates Both Teams

Just when the match seemed to be shaping up for an exciting second innings, the weather intervened. Persistent rain in Napier meant the ground conditions deteriorated, making further play impossible. After multiple inspections, the umpires had no choice but to call off the match, leaving both teams frustrated with the no result.

With the match abandoned, both teams will now shift their focus to the second ODI, hoping for better weather conditions and a full game.

Key Takeaways from the Match

• Harshitha Samarawickrama’s unbeaten 66 stood out as a resilient knock under challenging conditions.

• Bree Illing’s 2/42 and Jess Kerr’s 1/21 showcased the strength of New Zealand’s bowling unit.

• Rain played the ultimate role in deciding the match, preventing either side from gaining an advantage in the ICC Championship series.

What’s Next

With the first ODI ending in a no result, both teams will be eager to secure a win in the next game. The series remains wide open, and Sri Lanka Women will be keen to put up a stronger performance, while New Zealand Women will look to dominate on home soil.

Fans will be hoping for clear skies as the teams prepare for the second ODI, which promises an exciting contest.