Sri Lanka Women vs New Zealand Women, SLW vs NZW, Today Match Prediction

slw vs nzw Match Prediction & Analysis

Sri Lanka Women will take on New Zealand Women in the first game of the three-match ODI series at Galle. This series is part of the ICC Championship rankings and will be important for both sides. The Lankan Women come here with a series win against Bangladesh Women and shall look to draw inspiration from that series. New Zealand had defeated West Indies Women in the last series.  

Sri Lanka Women have a poor record against New Zealand Women and have never won a game against the Kiwis. Their recent form in ODIs doesn't inspire confidence either. The Kiwis will be eying a series win and look to take an early lead. It will be interesting to see if Sri Lanka can use home advantage and earn their maiden win against New Zealand. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Women Preview

Chamari Athapaththu's side won the last ODI series at home against Bangladesh Women, but the side has been in poor form over the last couple of years. They need to improve their position on the ICC Women's Championship Standings 2022-25 and need a strong show from their players. They haven't defeated the Kiwis in the past, and Athapaththu shall like to change that.  

Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama must put runs at the top, as it has been a problem area for the team. Chamari Athapaththu is their most important batter, and she must build partnerships with Nilakshi de Silva and Imesha Dulani. They will need runs in the lower middle order from Anushka Sanjeewani, Kavisha Dilhari, and Oshadi Ranasinghe.  

Kawya Kavindi and Oshadi Ranasinghe must get early breakthroughs for the team, as the Kiwis have a very strong bowling attack. Kavisha Dilhari and Inoka Ranaweera know these conditions well and must use this knowledge to their advantage. The side will also expect good spells from Athapaththu and Udeshika Prabodhani in the supporting role. 

Sri Lanka Women Predicted Playing XI:

Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Imesha Dulani, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Kawya Kavindi, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodhani

Sri Lanka Women Actual Playing XI:

Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunaratne, Harshitha Madavi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Chamari Atapattu, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Inoka Ranaweera, Anushka Sanjeewani, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani

New Zealand Women Preview

Sophie Devine and her team will feel confident going into this contest. They have an excellent record against Sri Lankans and will look to build on that. The side is strong and has good hitters. Devine would like to see a professional approach from her players and won't like them to be complacent.  

Bernadine Bezuidenhout has done well in recent matches, and she will look to set up a big opening wicket stand with Suzie Bates. Sophie Devine is the most experienced player and must build partnerships with Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green in the middle order. The side will like runs from Georgia Plimmer and Hannah Rowe in the lower middle order.   

Lea Tahuhu and Rosemary Mair must bowl tight spells upfront and put the Sri Lankan top order under pressure. Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold have enjoyed good form, and the side will need good spells from them. They have variety in their bowling, with Eden Carson, Kerr, and Bates adding to the bowling options. 

New Zealand Women Predicted Playing XI:

Sophie Devine (c), Bernadine Bezuidenhout (wk), Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Maddy Green, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Molly Penfold

New Zealand Women Actual Playing XI:

Brooke Halliday, Hannah Rowe, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Maddy Green, Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Fran Jonas, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be a thick cloud cover over the skies of Galle, and we may see rain during the game. The surface is flat, and there isn't much for the bowlers. Batters can play the ball on the up, and we have seen big scores already in the tournament. The side batting first shall need to aim at a score of 250 runs under these conditions.

Venue Details

Galle International Stadium, Galle, is a good venue for batters. They can play their strokes easily, and the flat surface and the fast outfield aid them. It is a very tough venue for the fast bowlers as the wicket doesn't offer them any support. Spinners enjoy good assistance from the track as the ball turns sharply.

Toss: To Bat

Most teams have batted first in these conditions and put up big scores. The wicket tends to wear in the second half, where batting conditions become challenging. The side winning the toss in this game would have little hesitation in opting to bat first.