In what would have been a decisive match to crown a thrilling T20 series, rain washed away the hopes of both New Zealand and Sri Lanka, resulting in a no-result at the third T20I held in Dunedin on March 18, 2025. As the teams took to the field with a series tied at 1-1, Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to carry the momentum from a recent victory against the Kiwis.
New Zealand started with a bang, scoring 42 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. Veteran Suzie Bates and rising star Georgia Plimmer constructed a promising 60-run partnership over eight overs until the first rain delay struck, halting their progress. The opening innings saw Bates score 31 runs off 28 balls including three fours, before Athapaththu made the breakthrough, trapping Bates lbw right after the resumption. Unfortunately, the on-field action was once again interrupted as rain returned, leading to another delay.
Following the second stoppage, the match was reduced to 15 overs a side. New Zealand reached a score of 101 for 3 in 14.1 overs when the match was called off due to rain. Plimmer shined with the bat, remaining unbeaten on 46 runs off 37 balls, featuring three boundaries and two maximums. New Zealand's innings was guarded diligently by a solid bowling performance from Athapaththu, who finished with figures of 1-19 in her three overs.
Chamari Athapaththu's impressive performances not only as a player but also as a captain, secured her the title of Player of the Series. Throughout the three matches, she scored 64 not out, 23, and delivered bowling returns of 1/10, 0/19, and 1/19, highlighting her all-round capabilities.
The match, which many anticipated would provide clarity to the series, instead concluded with a whimper as rain brought play to a halt. Umpires, faced with lengthy rain delays, eventually had to abandon the game, resulting in the series being shared 1-1. This was the first T20 series between the two nations, and a historic maiden series triumph for Sri Lanka remains elusive for now, but the women in blue will carry away many positives from the contest.
The Sri Lankan side showed resilience and improvement throughout the T20I format following their loss in the ODI series, where they were defeated 2-0. Their spirited effort in the T20s set the stage for the competitions ahead as they look to strengthen their development in women’s cricket.
As both teams exit the series, cricket fans can reflect on what has been an engaging contest, with players like Plimmer setting the tone for future matches, and Athapaththu bringing a fresh dynamic to the Sri Lankan team. As the international calendar unfolds, the anticipation now shifts towards the next challenge for both teams, in what promises to be an exciting year for women’s cricket.
