NZ-W vs SL-W 2025, 2nd WT20I Review: Bates-Halliday guide White Ferns to victory as hosts level series

New Zealand Women put up a strong show in Christchurch, defeating Sri Lanka Women by seven wickets in the second WT20I to level the three-match series 1-1. Skipper Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday had a brilliant day with the bat, while a strong bowling effort from Bree Illing saw the hosts chase down the target of 114 with ease.

After winning the toss and opting to bowl, New Zealand's bowlers made full use of the conditions. Illing provided an ideal start, providing a breakthrough in the very first over and finishing with figures of 2 for 18 in just her second T20I. Alongside her, Jess Kerr (2 for 29) and Flora Devonshire (1 for 12) also chipped in with a few.

The visiting team's innings never got going, with skipper Chamari Athapaththu struggling to fire. She was eventually dismissed for 23 of 29 balls by Kerr. At 46/3 in the ninth over, the side faced a major setback when Devonshire struck in her first over, removing Kavisha Dilhari for 12.

Meanwhile, a much-needed 54-run stand between Manudi Nanayakkara (35 off 32) and Nilakshika Silva (20 off 22) helped the visitors reach a total of 113/7. Chasing 114, the White Ferns lost Georgia Plimmer early for just 4, caught behind in the second over off Sugandika Kumari's bowling. Emma McLeod followed in the seventh over after adding 11 off 13 balls.

However, Bates anchored the innings beautifully. Knowing that the required run rate was well within control, she played her shots cautiously, scoring 47 off 46 balls with just four boundaries. Her knock ended in the 15th over when she was caught and bowled, but by then, the hosts were only 29 runs away from victory.

Halliday ensured there were no issues after that, as she smashed multiple boundaries in the 16th and 18th overs, finishing unbeaten on 46 off 40 balls, registering her highest T20I score. The side reached 117/3 in 18.3 overs, sealing the win with nine balls to spare. With the series now level at 1-1, the third and final T20I is set to be played in Dunedin on Tuesday, March 18.