The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup continues with an important group-stage clash as Sri Lanka Women host New Zealand Women at the iconic R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Scheduled for 14th October, the match begins at 10:30 AM UK time, which corresponds to a 3:00 PM IST start. Both sides are eager to claim vital points as the tournament enters a decisive phase, with Sri Lanka seeking to capitalise on home advantage and New Zealand aiming to maintain their winning momentum.
Form Guide
Sri Lanka Women
Sri Lanka Women have been competitive but inconsistent in the World Cup so far. Their spinners have been effective on slow surfaces, but the batting lineup has struggled for fluency against quality bowling attacks. Playing at home in familiar conditions, they’ll look to deliver a strong all-round performance to challenge the White Ferns.
- Spin attack remains their strongest asset in Colombo’s conditions.
- Batting unit showing glimpses of improvement but lacking consistency.
- Home advantage could prove crucial on a turning track.
New Zealand Women
New Zealand Women have hit top gear in recent matches, combining solid batting performances with disciplined bowling. Their experienced core, led by star all-rounders, continues to guide the side effectively. The White Ferns will be keen to continue their momentum and adapt quickly to the slow and humid Colombo conditions.
- Strong batting lineup anchored by seasoned internationals.
- Effective seam attack backed by skilful spin options.
- Excellent fielding and game awareness contributing to consistent results.
Key Players
Sri Lanka Women
- Chamari Athapaththu – The captain and star batter remains the team’s key hope with her aggressive strokeplay and leadership.
- Harshitha Samarawickrama – The reliable middle-order batter has shown the ability to anchor innings under pressure.
- Inoka Ranaweera – The experienced spinner will be crucial in exploiting home conditions with her control and guile.
New Zealand Women
- Sophie Devine – The captain and all-rounder continues to be the driving force, delivering with both bat and ball.
- Amelia Kerr – The world-class leg-spinner and all-rounder provides balance and consistency in all formats.
- Suzie Bates – The veteran opener’s experience and composure make her vital in navigating spin-heavy conditions.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The surface at the R Premadasa Stadium is expected to be slow and spin-friendly, favouring bowlers who can vary pace and flight. Batting will demand patience, especially early in the innings, with scores around 230–250 likely to be competitive. The weather forecast for Colombo is hot and humid, with a slight chance of late afternoon showers, typical for this time of year.
Sri Lanka Women vs New Zealand Women – Prediction
The Sri Lankans will depend heavily on Chamari Athapaththu for a strong start and on Inoka Ranaweera to lead the bowling effort. The White Ferns will look to Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr to continue their dominant form. While Sri Lanka’s spinners could trouble New Zealand, the visitors’ superior batting depth and experience make them favourites to claim victory in Colombo.
Dream 11 Fantasy Picks
- Amelia Kerr – A top all-round fantasy option for her wicket-taking ability and batting consistency.
- Chamari Athapaththu – The key run-scorer and captain who can change the game single-handedly.
- Sophie Devine – A dependable captaincy pick thanks to her all-round impact.
