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The Women’s One Day International (WODI) series opener between New Zealand Women (NZW) and Sri Lanka Women (SLW) promises to be an intriguing contest, despite both teams missing key players. For NZW, the absence of Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine leaves them without two of their biggest stars, while SLW will rely heavily on the returning Chamari Athapaththu to lead their charge.
With the match set to take place at McLean Park in Napier, a venue known for favoring pace bowlers, the conditions could play a decisive role. Below is a detailed preview of the match, including team line-ups, pitch report, toss prediction, and fantasy team recommendations.
Match Details
| Match | NZW vs SLW (1st WODI) |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | 04 March 2025 06:30 |
| Venue | McLean Park, Napier |
| Format | Women’s One Day International |
| Key Players | NZW: Suzie Bates, Jess Kerr |
| SLW: Chamari Athapaththu, Kavisha Dilhari |
Both Team Previews
New Zealand Preview
New Zealand Women enter this series with high hopes but face challenges due to the absence of key players like Amelia Kerr and captain Sophie Devine. Stand-in skipper Suzie Bates will shoulder significant responsibility, especially at the top of the order. The middle-order trio of Brooke Halliday, Isabella Gaze, and Maddy Green must step up to provide stability. With the ball, Hannah Rowe, Eden Carson, and Hayley Jensen will look to exploit the green-top conditions expected at McLean Park. While depth exists in the squad, consistency from the top order remains critical for success.
Sri Lanka Preview
Sri Lanka Women arrive as underdogs but possess the firepower to surprise. Captain Chamari Athapaththu’s return is a massive boost, given her ability to dominate with both bat and ball. She will likely open alongside Kavisha Dilhari, who brings balance as an all-rounder. Vishmi Gunaratne and Anushka Sanjeewani will play pivotal roles in stabilizing the innings. In the bowling department, Dilshari and Sugandika Kumari can trouble the opposition on a pitch that aids seam movement. Despite being perceived as weaker, Sri Lanka has the potential to cause an upset.
Favourite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Team | Reasons |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | Stronger bench strength, experienced leadership under Suzie Bates, favorable pitch conditions. |
Why? : Although depleted, NZW boasts greater depth and familiarity with local conditions. Their pace attack should thrive on the green-top wicket, making them favorites despite SLW’s fighting spirit.
Fantasy Team XI
| Player | Role | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Suzie Bates (c) | Batter/All-R | NZW |
| Chamari Athapaththu (vc) | All-Rounder | SLW |
| Isabella Gaze | WK-Batter | NZW |
| Vishmi Gunaratne | Batter | SLW |
| Brooke Halliday | All-Rounder | NZW |
| Kavisha Dilhari | All-Rounder | SLW |
| Hannah Rowe | Bowler | NZW |
| Eden Carson | Bowler | NZW |
| Hayley Jensen | Bowler | NZW |
| Udeshika Prabodhani | Bowler | SLW |
| Sugandika Kumari | Bowler | SLW |
Explanation : This balanced XI includes top performers from both sides. Suzie Bates leads the side, supported by Chamari Athapaththu as vice-captain. Key batters, all-rounders, and bowlers ensure coverage across departments.
Suggested Captains and Vice-Captains
- Captain : Suzie Bates (NZW) – A proven leader and consistent performer.
- Vice-Captain : Chamari Athapaththu (SLW) – Can single-handedly change the course of the game.
Players to Avoid
- Isabella Gaze (NZW) : While talented, she may struggle against SLW’s spin-heavy attack.
- Nilakshika Silva (SLW) : Lacks consistency at the international level.
Probable Playing XIs
| New Zealand Women | Sri Lanka Women |
|---|---|
| Suzie Bates (c), Georgia Plimmer, Brooke Halliday, | Chamari Athapaththu (c), Kavisha Dilhari, |
| Isabella Gaze (wk), Emma McLeod, Jess Kerr, Maddy Green, | Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Vishmi Gunaratne, |
| Eden Carson, Hannah Rowe, Polly Inglis, Hayley Jensen | Manudi Nanayakkara, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana |
| Udeshika Prabodhani, Sachini Nisansala, Sugandika Kumari |
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
- Pitch Report : Green-top wicket favoring pacers early; par score ~260.
- Weather Forecast : Showers expected; humidity >80%.
Toss Prediction
Both captains are likely to opt to bowl first, considering the assistance for pacers and recent trends at McLean Park.
Winner Prediction
New Zealand Women are predicted to win due to superior depth and home advantage.
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