Sri Lanka women snatch 1-0 lead in thriller

By. M. Shamil Amit

May.21 (Mirror Sports) - Sri Lanka A women pulled off a thrilling three wicket win with three balls to spare against the visiting New Zealand A women in the first of the three match T20 series at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium today to take a 1-0 lead.

New Zealand A taking first lease of the wicket was made to struggle for their runs and was reeling on 41 for 4 in the seventh over before they were rescued by Prue Catton and JA Watkins who together put on a valuable 38 runs for the fifth wicket. Later Kate Gaging who made an unbeaten 35 in 27 balls with six boundaries shared an unbroken 49 runs stand for the seventh wicket with Hannah Rowe which helped them end with a score of 129 for 6.

Sri Lanka A too underwent the same scenario as they were made to dig deep for their runs. At the halfway stage they were badly placed at 59 for 4. They recovered through brief partnerships with the best being 39 for the seventh wicket between Rashmika Sewwandi and Piumi Wathsala.

Shashini Gimhani hit a match winning six in the third ball of the 20th over off right arm spinner Jess Watkin with the side needing ten runs for victory in the last over.

The two sides will play their second match on May 23 at the same venue.

          Scores:         

• New Zealand A women 129 for 5 in 20 overs (Prue Catton 25, JA Watkins 20, Tash Wakelin 15, Kate Gaging 35 n.o.: Sathya Sandeepani 2/12, Sachini Nisansala 2/12, Chamodi Praboda 2/28)
• Sri Lanka A women 131 for 7 in 19.3 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 27, Rashmika Sewwandi 26, Piumi Wathsala 21 n.o.: Hannah Rowe 2/22, Kayley Knight 2/27).