NZ-W vs SL-W: Sri Lanka’s best playing XI for the ODI series against New Zealand

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Sri Lanka’s competitive tour to New Zealand
Sri Lanka’s best XI for the ODI series against New Zealand

Sri Lanka are set to go through a rigorous test of their skillset and temperament as a team on their upcoming tour to New Zealand where they are set to play 3-match ODI and 3-match T20I tour. The team is set to appear in international colours after their disappointing exit from the group stage of the Women’s T20 World Cup where they lost all their group stage matches in a competitive group.

Sri Lanka’s competitive tour to New Zealand

The Sri Lankan team is set to play their first ODI against the home side at Napier on March 4 followed by 2 matches at Nelson. From there, the teams will then move on to the shortest format of the game with the first T20I at Christchurch on March 14. The last T20I of the series will be played at Dunedin on March 18.

The tour to New Zealand stands a chance not just to come back to winning ways in white-ball cricket but also to improve their ICC rankings in both the formats. The Sri Lankan is currently placed at the 7th spot in both ODI and T20I rankings.

Also Read: New Zealand’s Bella James ruled out of Sri Lanka ODIs due to injury; replacement announced

Sri Lanka’s best XI for the ODI series against New Zealand

1. Anushka Sanjeewani

Role: Wicket-keeper batter; ability to play dynamic cricket across all formats of the game.
Strength: Her experience for Sri Lanka in international cricket and long-standing domestic record makes her a temperament batter and astute decision-maker for Sri Lanka behind the stumps.

2. Harshita Madavi Samarawickrama

Role: A technically sound left-handed batter with the ability to score some quick runs for the team.
Strength: Her steadfast approach to the game and relentless batting skills will prove handy in the ODI format and will add to the batting prowess of the team.

3. Nilakshi de Silva

Role: An experienced campaigner known for her skill and temperament
Strength: She is known for her patient build-up and keeping the wickets steady from one end allowing other batters to go for the big shots.

4. Vishmi Rajapaksha Gunarathne

Role: Young Sri Lankan batter with the ability to score big hits out of the ground.
Strength: The 19-year-old can be a handy medium pacer for the team and score big runs according to the match conditions.

5. Chamari Athapaththu (c)

Role: Leader of the squad, carries the ability to carry the team both with the bat and the bowl.
Strength: Known for her power-hitting and efficient bowling, her performances are instrumental to the team’s success.

6. Chethana Vimukthi

Role: Emphatic all-rounder, handy with bat and efficient with the ball
Strength: Her recent performance in the Murali Harmony Cup has earned her a maiden call-up to the national and her ability to deliver for the team particularly in the middle overs can prove crucial for the team’s performances against New Zealand.

7. Rashmika Sewwandi

Role: A batting all-rounder with the ability to score some runs in lower order and stun the rival batting line-up with her pace and consistency with the bowl.
Strength: The 18-year-old earned her maiden call-up after her impressive run in the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup held recently in Malaysia, Seewandi can be an element of surprise in pace-friendly New Zealand pitches and can also score some runs for the team down the order.

8. Sugandika Kumari

Role: Orthodox spinner with wicket-taking ability
Strength: She is responsible for tearing down the game for the batters and breaking crucial partnerships against the BlackCaps. The spin element can come as a surprise against New Zealand during the ODI series.

9. Udeshika Prabodhani

Role: Seasoned pacer with experience, can guide other younger lot against New Zealand
Strength: She comes in this team with a proven record oin international cricket and efficient bowling stats. She is also responsible for guiding the younger players with some skills during the various challenges of the tour.

10. Achini Kulasuriya

Role: Leader of the pace attack and carries wicket-taking ability in early overs
Strength: She is responsible for providing early breakthroughs to the team and maintaining line and length during the death overs so that the BlackCaps can be restricted.

11. Sachini Nisansala

Role: Provide spin support to Sugandika form the other end
Strength: An off-spin alternative, she is responsible to provide some crucial wickets during the middle overs and slow down the pace of the game after power plays.