Women’s cricket has grown significantly from a hobby to a career. Different worldwide tournaments, sponsorships, and leagues, such as the Women’s IPL and Women’s Big Bash League, have caused that change in women’s cricket. New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women is one of the most intense rivalry on this path.
The recent tournament has shown New Zealand’s domination, but both teams have always shown a consistently entertaining performance.
Over the past several years, New Zealand has steadily forged a gap between leading sides and countries from lower rankings.
It has inspired more countries to invest in their woman’s cricket than ever before. In the analysis below, we review both side’s performances across all the formats of cricket.
We will walk down memory lane through their history and highlight the star performers and emerging talent.
The Rivalry between New Zealand Women and Sri Lanka Women
The New Zealand women’s Cricket team is one of the greatest female sides. The country’s national squad has been one of the strongest in women’s cricket.
However, Sri Lanka’s cricket journey has not shown the same performance as that of the New Zealand team.
Chamari Atapattu was the leader, a run scorer, and a destructive freestyle bats-woman who made things happen for her country on many occasions.
Head-to-Head Records: New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women
The head-to-head records between New Zealand Women and Sri Lanka Women span all three game formats and the occasional Test matches.
WODI Matches (One Day Internationals)
In 13 WODIs, New Zealand Women have dominated Sri Lanka Women, winning 11 matches and losing only 2. Sri Lanka Women’s most notable victories came in 2023, showcasing their growing competitiveness.
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Draws | Ties | No Result |
| New Zealand Women | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sri Lanka Women | 13 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sri Lanka’s victories have been hard-fought, but New Zealand’s dominance in WODIs speaks volumes about their skill and strategy.
WT20I Matches (Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
Regarding WT20Is, the story remains similar, with New Zealand Women having the upper hand. Out of 13 matches, they have won 12, leaving Sri Lanka Women with just one victory. Despite Sri Lanka’s resilience, New Zealand has managed to win with greater margins.
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Draws | Ties | No Result |
| New Zealand Women | 13 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sri Lanka Women | 13 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In both formats, New Zealand Women hold a significant advantage over their Sri Lankan counterparts. However, the recent victories by Sri Lanka Women show that the gap is narrowing.
Recent Matches: Latest Encounters in WODIs and WT20Is
Let’s look at the latest five match results between these two teams across formats.
Latest WODI Results
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Winner | Margin | Ground | Match Date |
| SL Women | NZ Women | SL Women | 8 wickets | Galle | Jul 3, 2023 |
| SL Women | NZ Women | NZ Women | 116 runs | Galle | Jun 30, 2023 |
| SL Women | NZ Women | SL Women | 9 wickets | Galle | Jun 27, 2023 |
| NZ Women | SL Women | NZ Women | 9 wickets | Bristol | Jun 24, 2017 |
| NZ Women | SL Women | NZ Women | 8 wickets | Christchurch | Nov 13, 2015 |
Latest WT20I Results
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Winner | Margin | Ground | Match Date |
| SL Women | NZ Women | SL Women | 10 wickets | Colombo (PSS) | Jul 12, 2023 |
| SL Women | NZ Women | NZ Women | 8 wickets | Colombo (PSS) | Jul 10, 2023 |
| SL Women | NZ Women | NZ Women | 5 wickets | Colombo (PSS) | Jul 8, 2023 |
| NZ Women | SL Women | NZ Women | 102 runs | Paarl | Feb 19, 2023 |
| NZ Women | SL Women | NZ Women | 45 runs | Birmingham | Aug 2, 2022 |
These results show a mix of performances, with Sri Lanka Women showing their competitiveness in recent matches.
Exceptional Performances and Key Players
Both teams have seen outstanding individual performances in their encounters. Chamari Athapaththu, Sophie Devine, and Suzie Bates have consistently dominated with both bat and ball.
Most Sixes by Players
Six-hitting ability has been a key feature of some players. Below are the players who have hit the most sixes in these encounters.
Most Sixes in WODIs
| Player | Team | Matches | Sixes |
| Chamari Athapaththu (SL-W) | Sri Lanka | 10 | 14 |
| Sophie Devine (NZ-W) | New Zealand | 10 | 4 |
Most Sixes in WT20Is
| Player | Team | Matches | Sixes |
| Sophie Devine (NZ-W) | New Zealand | 13 | 11 |
| Chamari Athapaththu (SL-W) | Sri Lanka | 13 | 5 |
Chamari Athapaththu leads the six-hitting charts, reflecting her power-hitting prowess in the middle overs.
Runs in WODIs and WT20Is in New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women
The star players have often defined the outcomes of these matches. Below are some of the best individual performances regarding runs, wickets, and partnerships.
Suzie Bates (New Zealand)
Suzie Bates is a clear danger at the top, who scored 493 runs in only 10 matches against Sri Lanka in WODIs. She can also anchor innings and accelerate quickly; her highest score of 106* justifies it.
Bates has been equally dominant in WT20Is, piling up 489 runs in just 13 games at a strike rate of over 112. Her play up front had been instrumental in New Zealand winning both formats.
Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
Chamari Athapaththu is the captain and a reliable batter for Sri Lanka. In her 10 WODI matches against New Zealand, she scored 456 runs, including two centuries. Her 140* against New Zealand is her best score so far.
Meanwhile, Athapaththu has also impressed in WT20Is, having accumulated 297 runs from 13 appearances against New Zealand. In the shorter format, that only increases to 109.19, a good figure for an aggressive batter.
Highest Run-Scorers in WODIs
| Player | Team | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average |
| Suzie Bates (NZ-W) | New Zealand | 10 | 493 | 106* | 98.60 |
| Chamari Athapaththu (SL-W) | Sri Lanka | 10 | 456 | 140* | 57.00 |
Highest Run-Scorers in WT20Is
| Player | Team | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average |
| Suzie Bates (NZ-W) | New Zealand | 13 | 489 | 69 | 40.75 |
| Chamari Athapaththu (SL-W) | Sri Lanka | 13 | 297 | 80* | 24.75 |
Highest Totals in New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women
Highest Totals in WODIs
| Team | Score | Overs | Run Rate | Ground | Match Date |
| New Zealand Women | 329/7 | 50.0 | 6.58 | Galle | Jun 30, 2023 |
| New Zealand Women | 326/5 | 50.0 | 6.52 | Lincoln | Nov 7, 2015 |
Highest Totals in WT20Is
| Team | Score | Overs | Run Rate | Ground | Match Date |
| New Zealand Women | 188/3 | 20.0 | 9.40 | Christchurch | Nov 15, 2015 |
Best Partnerships Between New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women
Partnerships play a huge role in shaping a match, especially in close contests. Below are the highest partnerships in WODIs and WT20Is between these two teams.
Highest Partnerships in WODIs
| Wicket | Runs | Partners | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
| 1st | 196 | RH Priest, SW Bates | New Zealand | Sri Lanka | Lincoln | 7 Nov 2015 |
| 3rd | 229 | AC Kerr, SFM Devine | New Zealand | Sri Lanka | Galle | 30 Jun 2023 |
Highest Partnerships in WT20Is
| Wicket | Runs | Partners | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
| 2nd | 110 | AC Kerr, SW Bates | New Zealand | Sri Lanka | Paarl | 19 Feb 2023 |
Key Bowling Performances and Economy Rates
Bowling has often been the deciding factor in close matches between New Zealand vs Sri Lanka. Here are some key bowling performances:
Lea Tahuhu is the Fast Bowling Spearhead of New Zealand.
Sri Lankan batters have nothing figured against Lea Tahuhu In WODIs, with 13 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 18.76; her pace and accuracy have troubled the top three batters for Sri Lanka.
Her best 4/27 on 30 December earlier this year in a game where she ran through to set up a comfortable New Zealand win.
Spin Wizard Inoka Ranaweera of Sri Lanka
Inoka Ranaweera has been one of the most impressive bowlers groomed for Sri Lanka, especially in the shorter formats. WT20Is: she can bowl a tidy spell and keeps the runs down while taking wickets.
Sri Lanka has rarely gone into a match against New Zealand as favorites, but Ranaweera’s displays have often made the difference between competitiveness and mere respectability.
Most Wickets in WODIs
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Average | Economy |
| LMM Tahuhu (NZ-W) | 8 | 13 | 4/27 | 18.76 | 3.82 |
| EM Bermingham (NZ-W) | 6 | 10 | 4/16 | 12.80 | 3.49 |
Most Wickets in WT20Is
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Economy |
| LMM Tahuhu (NZ-W) | 13 | 13 | 4/21 | 5.25 |
| HNK Jensen (NZ-W) | 6 | 9 | 3/5 | 1.25 |
Best Bowling Figures in WODIs (New Zealand vs Sri Lanka)
| Player | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Team | Date |
| MJG Nielsen | 10.0 | 21 | 5 | 2.10 | NZ | Nov 10, 2015 |
| HR Huddleston | 10.0 | 35 | 5 | 3.50 | NZ | Jun 24, 2017 |
Nielsen and Huddleston have delivered outstanding bowling performances, with Nielsen’s 5/21 in Lincoln being a standout.
Best Economy Rates in WODIs
| Player | Matches | Economy Rate |
| EM Bermingham (NZ) | 6 | 3.49 |
| LMM Tahuhu (NZ) | 8 | 3.82 |
How International Leagues Are Elevating Performance
International leagues such as the Women’s IPL and the WBBL have allowed players to test their skills. Athletically, rubbing shoulders with international stars has helped youth to grow their game and hugely improve their performances.
The global T20 leagues have largely changed players. So, when Sophie Devine and Chamari Athapaththu participate in these leagues, they play against the best, and their game automatically improves.
It gives them the exposure to adapt to different match situations, raising the standard and quality of cricket.
New Zealand players in WBBL
Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates have been mainstays in the league tournament. The experience has helped them perfect their strategies even while facing some of the best bowlers in the world.
That competition is invaluable as the players seek to introduce fresh plans and ideas to the national team to improve their performances eventually.
Sri Lankan Women Cricketers In The WIPL
Sri Lanka has come to the showpiece event on the back of Chamari Athapaththu — their batswoman and captain leading the charge playing Women’s IPL. Playing in the IPL has changed so many aspects of her game.
As the Women’s IPL looks to expand in the coming years, it will undoubtedly create more opportunities for Sri Lankan players who can benefit incredibly from exposure.
How Much Do These Leagues Contribute To Performance?
The leagues have come in handy for young talent before becoming global stars. The increasing prominence of Athapaththu can be traced back to the globalization of cricket leagues in Sri Lanka.
On the flip side, several of New Zealand’s big names have reaped the rewards from Australia’s T20 tournament, with many among their teams playing regular WBBL.
As women’s cricket’s future looks healthier and brighter, these players are smashing stereotypes on the field and getting media recognition. As a result, the sport will undoubtedly gain new fans and enjoy increasing viewership.
New young talents are on the rise, along with proven veterans still in their prime competing. As it reaches more and more spectators, pulls in greater advertising revenue, and brings in endorsements for players, the future of women’s cricket is definitely on an upward trajectory, but both these teams will have a part to play in that journey.
Leagues’ Contribution to Player Development
| League | Notable Players | Impact on Performance |
| Women’s IPL | Chamari Athapaththu, Kerr | Improved technical skills and confidence under pressure. |
| Women’s Big Bash | Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine | Allowed consistency in batting and bowling. |
A Conclusion: Bright Day Ahead For Women Cricket
The competition between New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women in cricket exemplifies how women’s cricket has moved forward. Typically, the players saw increased fanbase growth through sponsorship deals that attract youth.
Greater focus on exciting domestic leagues such as the WBBL and Women’s IPL has certainly led to some impressive displays of women’s cricket from all over the globe.
These players have come a long way in their journey, but this is the start of promising advancement. The future of women’s cricket shines brightly with more and more competitive cricket, viewership, and media hype.
Both teams have the spirit, skill, and talent best exemplified in the presence of Captain Suzie Bates for New Zealand and Chamari Athapaththu for Sri Lanka.
Although New Zealand has been the dominant force, Sri Lanka Women are on an upward curve, spurred by players like Chamari Athapaththu. The enhancement of the number of viewers in women’s games is due to the surge in women’s cricket around the globe due to domestic T20 leagues.
It is just the start, and in the future, too, they will be playing each other more often under competitive circumstances with a lot of stakes.
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