PAARL: Amelia Kerr and Suzie Bates hit astounding fifties before bowlers wreaked havoc on Sri Lanka and bundled them out for a party 60 to give New Zealand a commanding 102-run win in the Group 1 fixture of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Sri Lanka, despite a positive start to the tournament, crashed out of the tournament while New Zealand’s chances to qualify for the semifinals hinge on the outcome of the final group match between Bangladesh and South Africa.
Electing to bat first, New Zealand reached a respectable total of 162/3, thanks to a phenomenal 110-run partnership between Amelia and Bates for the second wicket.
Amelia played a valiant knock of 48-ball 66 laced with six boundaries while Bates scored 56 from 49 balls.
Sri Lanka, in reply, struggled greatly in the chase as none of their batters went past the 20s besides nine of them getting unsettled inside single digits.
White Ferns sent Sri Lanka packing inside 16 overs in a combined bowling effort which saw at least a wicket each to the six bowlers they used.
All-rounder Kerr shifted the momentum into the ball as well, grabbing two wickets for seven runs in her three overs.
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