ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, SL-W vs NZ-W: Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr star in New Zealand’s crucial win over Sri Lanka

Sharjah: On the back of impressive performances from Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr, New Zealand strengthened their chances of qualifying for the semifinals of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka on the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here on Saturday.

Alongside Leigh Kasperek’s 2-27, Amelia played a essential role in stifling Sri Lanka all of the way all through the middle overs through her spell of two-Thirteen and restricting them to 100 fifteen/5. In reply, Georgia’s knock of fifty three off forty four balls, along with an unbeaten 34 from Amelia, ensured New Zealand completed the chase all of the way all through the 18th over.

New Zealand, still in 1/3 place, will go into their final Group A against Pakistan on Monday knowing exactly what they qualify for the semifinals. The result also meant Sri Lanka’s tournament came to an end with out a single win.

Pushed into bowling first, New Zealand were tidy in keeping Sri Lanka to 34/1 on the tip of the Power-play, with Eden Carson castling Vishmi Gunaratne for eight off 15 balls. Chamari Athapaththu led the charge for Sri Lanka with a Forty one-ball 35 earlier than New Zealand stifled the run-drift all of the way all through the middle overs.

Amelia got the important leap forward for New Zealand by castling Chamari and also held on to a decent catch as Leigh took out Harshitha Samarawickrama. She then struck again with the ball to trap Kavisha Dilhari lbw to dent Sri Lanka’s chances of making a tremendous total, as they ended up 5 runs short of 120.

All all through the chase, Georgia and Suzie Bates shared a 49-run opening stand, earlier than the latter became bowled by Sachini Nisansala for 17. Georgia’s 2nd T20I 1/2 of-century featured just four boundaries, and looked impressive in her usage of feet, earlier than being pushed aside by Chamari.

Amelia remained unbeaten on 34 off 31 deliveries to accomplish a wonderful all-round match, while captain Sophie Devine smashed Thirteen no longer out off 8 balls to wrap up the win with 2.Three overs remaining.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 100 fifteen/5 in 20 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 35; Amelia Kerr 2-Thirteen, Leigh Kasperek 2-27) lost to New Zealand 118/2 in 17.Three overs (Georgia Plimmer fifty three, Amelia Kerr 34 no longer out; Chamari Athapaththu 1-8, Sachini Nisansala 1-24) by eight wickets