NZ-W vs SL-W 2025, 3rd WT20I Review: Rain plays spoilsport as series ends on level terms

New Zealand Women (NZ-W) and Sri Lanka Women (SL-W) clashed with each other one final time in the third T20I at the University Oval in Dunedin on Tuesday, March 18. The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl first.

The Kiwi opening pair of Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer began the innings well. The partnership was flourishing, reaching 50 runs in 6.5 overs. However, soon after rain made its presence felt with the score being 60/0 in 7.5 overs. This was the first of many rain breaks.

Play resumed after a while and with just three balls in, Bates fell to SL-W skipper Chamari Athapaththu for 31 off 28 balls. Shortly after, rain made a comeback and play was halted again. At this stage, the match was reduced to 15 overs per side.

After the second break, NZ-W suffered a similar fate as they did after the first one. The home side lost a couple of wickets in the form of Emma McLeod (4 off 5) and Brooke Halliday for a golden duck. Meanwhile, at the other end Plimmer was going well, continuing her rich vein of form. As the final rain break ended the match, Plimmer finished at 46* off 37 balls, scoring three fours and two sixes.

For SL-W, Athapaththu, Inoshi Priyadharshani, and Kavisha Dilhari picked up one wicket each. The match ended with the Kiwis at 101/3 after 14.1 overs. The series ended at 1-1 after the visitors won the first match comprehensively and the home side made a comeback in the second.

Athapaththu was declared the Player of the Series for her all-round performances. She scored a total of 87 runs and picked up two wickets in the series.

Earlier, NZ-W had won the ODI series by a 2-0 margin. The visitors, with their win in the first T20I, did have something to show for before heading back home.

NZ-W next face Australia Women in a three-match T20I series at home, starting from Friday, March 21.