Colombo, South Africa - In a thrilling Women's Cricket World Cup clash, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first against New Zealand in the 15th match of the tournament. The match is being held at the R. Premadasa Stadium, promising an exciting contest between the two sides.
Key Changes in Squads
New Zealand made a single change to their lineup, bringing in Bree Illing to replace Lea Tahuhu. This strategic move aims to bolster their bowling attack and potentially exploit any weaknesses in the Sri Lankan batting order. On the other hand, Sri Lanka made two significant alterations to their squad. Malki Madara and Piumi Badalge were included in the playing XI, replacing Dewmi Vihanga and Udeshika Prabodhani. These changes suggest a focus on strengthening both their batting and bowling capabilities.
Captains' Views
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu explained the decision to bat first, stating, "Last two games we struggled to chase and conditions are good for batting. We have to play positive cricket in the middle and as a batting unit we have struggled to do that." She emphasized the importance of playing their natural game, especially for the younger members of the team, aiming to avoid unnecessary pressure.
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine expressed no preference for bowling first, highlighting their strong bowling performance against Bangladesh. She noted the potential for different conditions and the strategic match-up of Illing against Chamari, acknowledging the importance of this duel.
Playing XIs
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Isabella Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Bree Illing
Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Harshitha Madavi Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Piumi Badalge, Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera
What to Expect
Cricket fans can anticipate a competitive match with both teams eager to secure a crucial win in the ICC Women's World Cup. The Sri Lankan batting lineup will need to perform strongly against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack, while New Zealand will look to capitalize on their strategic changes and claim victory.