The most recent high-stakes encounter between the New Zealand women’s national cricket team and the Sri Lanka women’s national cricket team took place on October 14, 2025, during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. In this Match 15 held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the scorecard saw Sri Lanka post a competitive 258/6 in 50 overs, led by Nilakshika de Silva’s 55 and Chamari Athapaththu’s 53, before persistent rain forced the match to be abandoned with no result. Prior to this, New Zealand secured a dominant 8-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the 2024 T20 World Cup, chasing down 116 with ease.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the detailed scorecards from recent iconic matches, head-to-head records across all formats, and the top individual performers who have defined this growing rivalry. Whether you are looking for specific batting averages, bowling economy rates, or historical series results, this article provides an authoritative look at the “White Ferns” vs. the “Lionesses.”
2025 ODI World Cup Scorecard Analysis
The 2025 World Cup clash in Colombo was one of the most anticipated matches for the home crowd. Sri Lanka’s top order showed remarkable resilience against a world-class New Zealand bowling attack, establishing a platform that hinted at a major upset before the weather intervened.
Sri Lanka Batting Performance
Sri Lanka’s innings was anchored by two stellar half-centuries. Captain Chamari Athapaththu scored 53 off 72 balls, providing the necessary stability at the top, while Nilakshika de Silva provided the fireworks at the end, blasting 55 off just 28 deliveries. Her strike rate of 196.43 was the fastest recorded in that stage of the tournament.
New Zealand Bowling Figures
Sophie Devine was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, utilizing her experience to claim 3/54 in her 9 overs. Young seamer Bree Illing supported well with figures of 2/39, showing great control in the middle overs despite the pressure from the home fans. Amelia Kerr was notably economical, conceding only 40 runs in her full 10-over quota without a wicket.
2024 T20 World Cup: New Zealand’s Dominance
Earlier in the 2024 T20 World Cup held in Sharjah, the narrative was vastly different. New Zealand’s clinical efficiency was on full display as they restricted Sri Lanka to a meager total and chased it down with significant overs to spare.
Sri Lanka’s T20 Struggles
Batting first, Sri Lanka could only manage 115/5 in 20 overs. The Sharjah pitch offered grip, which New Zealand’s spinners exploited perfectly. Leigh Kasperek (2/27) and Amelia Kerr (2/13) stifled the run rate, leaving the Sri Lankan batters unable to find the boundary in the death overs.
The White Ferns’ Clinical Chase
New Zealand reached the target of 116 in just 17.3 overs, losing only 2 wickets. Georgia Plimmer played a breakout innings of 53 runs, while Amelia Kerr remained unbeaten on 34 to ensure there were no late hiccups. This 8-wicket win was pivotal in New Zealand’s progression through the tournament.
Head-to-Head Record: All Formats
The historical data suggests a strong historical advantage for New Zealand, though Sri Lanka has become significantly more competitive in recent years under the leadership of Athapaththu.
| Format | Total Matches | New Zealand Won | Sri Lanka Won | No Result/Tie |
| ODI | 17 | 13 | 2 | 2 |
| T20I | 15 | 12 | 3 | 0 |
Trends in the Rivalry
While New Zealand leads the overall count, Sri Lanka’s two ODI wins came during a historic home series in 2023. This shift indicates that when playing in subcontinental conditions, the gap between the two teams has narrowed considerably.
Key Players and Individual Milestones
Individual brilliance often dictates the outcome of New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka matches. Several players have reached career milestones while playing in this specific fixture.
- Chamari Athapaththu (SL): In 2025, she became the first Sri Lankan woman to approach the 4,000-run mark in ODIs, with a significant portion of those runs coming against New Zealand.
- Amelia Kerr (NZ): Known as one of the best all-rounders in the world, Kerr holds a bowling average under 18 against Sri Lanka in T20Is.
- Suzie Bates (NZ): The veteran opener has scored over 500 runs against Sri Lanka, including a memorable century at the 2017 World Cup.
- Vishmi Gunaratne (SL): A rising star who has recently anchored the Sri Lankan top order, showing great technique against New Zealand’s pace battery.
Recent Series: Sri Lanka in New Zealand 2025
In March 2025, Sri Lanka toured New Zealand for a multi-format series. This tour was a test of the Lionesses’ ability to handle the swinging conditions of the South Island.
ODI Series Results
New Zealand swept the ODI leg of the tour, winning the first match by 78 runs and the second by 98 runs. Maddy Green was the standout performer of the series, earning the Player of the Series award for her consistent middle-order contributions.
T20I Series Results
The T20I series was more balanced. While New Zealand won the series 2-1, Sri Lanka secured a historic 7-wicket victory in the opening match at Hagley Oval. Malki Madara was the hero of that match, taking 3 wickets to dismantle the New Zealand top order.
Venue Analysis: Impacts on the Scorecard
The venue plays a massive role in the final scorecard of these matches. Data shows a clear distinction between matches played in the breeze of Nelson and the heat of Colombo.
R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo)
This venue typically favors spinners as the match progresses. In the 2025 washout, the ball came onto the bat well in the first innings, but tactical data suggested that New Zealand’s chase would have been difficult due to the slowing surface.
Saxton Oval (Nelson)
Known for its true bounce and short boundaries, this ground is a paradise for New Zealand’s aggressive batters. Scorecards here often exceed 280 in ODIs, as seen in the 2025 series where New Zealand posted 280/6.
Practical Information for Cricket Fans
If you are planning to follow or attend a match between these two nations, here are the essential details.
- Tickets: For international matches in New Zealand, tickets range from $20 to $50 NZD. In Sri Lanka, general admission can be as low as 500 LKR.
- Where to Watch: Matches are typically broadcast on Sky Sport (NZ) and Sony Sports Network (Asia).
- Match Timing: Day matches in New Zealand usually start at 11:00 AM local time, while Day/Night matches in Sri Lanka often begin at 2:30 PM local time.
- Weather Impact: Always check local forecasts for Colombo in October, as the monsoon season frequently interrupts the 50-over World Cup schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the last completed ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka?
New Zealand won the last completed ODI by 98 runs on March 9, 2025, at Saxton Oval in Nelson.
What was the highest individual score in a New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Women’s match?
Suzie Bates holds one of the highest scores with her 106 in the 2017 World Cup, though Chamari Athapaththu has also scored multiple centuries against the White Ferns.
How many points did each team get for the 2025 World Cup washout?
Both New Zealand and Sri Lanka received 1 point each after their match on October 14, 2025, was abandoned.
Who is the current captain of the New Zealand Women’s team?
As of early 2026, Sophie Devine remains the captain of the New Zealand national team across all formats.
Which bowler has the best figures in this rivalry?
New Zealand’s Holly Huddleston previously took 5/35 against Sri Lanka, which remains one of the best recorded spells in their ODI history.
Where will the next New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match be held?
The teams are scheduled to meet again in the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England, specifically at the Utilita Bowl on June 16, 2026.
Has Sri Lanka ever won a T20 series against New Zealand?
No, while they have won individual T20I matches, they have yet to secure a full series victory against the White Ferns.
What is the average first innings score in Colombo for Women’s ODIs?
The average first innings score is approximately 215 runs, though Sri Lanka’s 258/6 in 2025 was well above the historical norm.
Who was the Player of the Match in the 2024 T20 World Cup encounter?
Georgia Plimmer was awarded Player of the Match for her match-winning half-century that led New Zealand to an 8-wicket win.
Final Thoughts
The competition between the New Zealand women’s national cricket team and the Sri Lanka women’s national cricket team has evolved from a one-sided historical record into a genuine tactical battle. As the “White Ferns” continue to rely on their elite all-rounders like Amelia Kerr and the power-hitting of Sophie Devine, Sri Lanka has demonstrated that they can no longer be underestimated, especially in subcontinental conditions. The emergence of young talents such as Vishmi Gunaratne alongside the veteran leadership of Chamari Athapaththu has given the “Lionesses” the teeth to challenge the world’s top-tier teams.
Looking ahead to the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England, both teams will view their upcoming fixtures as critical opportunities to climb the ICC rankings. While New Zealand currently holds the psychological edge in ICC tournaments, the narrow margins in recent scorecards suggest that the next chapter of this rivalry could very well see a shift in the balance of power.
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