Table of Contents
The rivalry between Sri Lanka Women and New Zealand Women has produced important moments across ODI and T20I cricket, with New Zealand traditionally enjoying greater success while Sri Lanka have gradually developed into a competitive international side. Their encounters have included bilateral series, ICC Women’s World Cup matches, T20 World Cup contests and memorable individual performances. The Sri Lanka Women Vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Timeline includes New Zealand’s dominant results during the 2015 and 2017 periods, Sri Lanka’s historic T20I victory in 2023, and one of the biggest recent surprises when Sri Lanka defeated the defending T20 World Cup champions in 2026. The rivalry has also featured leading players such as Chamari Athapaththu, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr.
Early Meetings Between Sri Lanka and New Zealand
Sri Lanka Women and New Zealand Women have met across several generations of women’s international cricket. New Zealand established themselves as one of the leading teams in women’s cricket much earlier, while Sri Lanka’s women’s program developed steadily through international tournaments.
Their meetings became more regular through global competitions and bilateral cricket. New Zealand’s stronger infrastructure and experience often translated into victories, but Sri Lanka gradually produced players capable of challenging established teams.
The rivalry has been particularly interesting because the teams have represented different cricketing traditions. New Zealand have traditionally relied on disciplined team cricket and strong all-rounders, while Sri Lanka have often been driven by individual brilliance, especially through aggressive batting.
The 2015 Bilateral ODI Series
A significant period in the rivalry came in 2015 when Sri Lanka toured New Zealand for a five-match ODI series.
The series was important because it was described by the ICC as the first bilateral contest between the two teams. New Zealand dominated the series, winning all five matches.
In the opening ODI at Lincoln, Rachel Priest produced a memorable performance. She scored 108 from 113 balls, registering her maiden ODI century.
New Zealand eventually won the match by 96 runs.
| Year | Format | Series Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ODI | New Zealand won 5–0 |
| 2015 | First ODI | New Zealand won by 96 runs |
The series established a clear advantage for New Zealand and provided Sri Lanka with valuable experience against one of the world’s leading women’s teams.
The 2015 ODI Series and Emerging Sri Lankan Talent
Although Sri Lanka lost the series heavily, the tour was significant for the development of several players.
Chamari Athapaththu was already emerging as one of Sri Lanka’s most dangerous batters. Her aggressive style provided the team with an attacking option at the top of the order.
New Zealand, meanwhile, possessed experienced players including Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, Rachel Priest and other members of a strong White Ferns generation.
The five-match series demonstrated the gap between the sides at that point, but it also gave Sri Lanka important exposure to international cricket in New Zealand conditions.
The 2017 Women’s World Cup
The two teams met in the opening match of the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup in Bristol.
Sri Lanka batted first and reached 188 for 9. Chamari Athapaththu scored 53, while Chamari Polgampola added 49.
Sri Lanka appeared capable of posting a competitive total, but New Zealand’s Holly Huddleston changed the momentum with a five-wicket haul.
New Zealand then chased the target comfortably.
Suzie Bates scored an unbeaten 106, while Amy Satterthwaite contributed 78 not out. The pair added 170 for the second wicket.
New Zealand reached 189 for 1 in only 37.4 overs and won by nine wickets.
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Women | 189/1 | New Zealand won by 9 wickets |
Bates’ century and Huddleston’s five wickets made the match one of New Zealand’s most complete performances of the tournament.
New Zealand’s Dominance in the 2017 World Cup
The 2017 World Cup match reflected New Zealand’s strength during that era.
Sri Lanka initially moved to 141 for 1, but the innings collapsed after the dismissal of Athapaththu. New Zealand took five wickets for only 15 runs during a crucial period.
Holly Huddleston finished with five wickets for 35 runs, while Suzie Bates then controlled the chase.
For Sri Lanka, the defeat became an indication of the challenge they faced against the world’s leading teams. Nevertheless, the experience of playing in a global tournament helped the team’s younger players develop.
The 2023 T20 World Cup
Sri Lanka and New Zealand met again at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2023.
This time, New Zealand produced another commanding performance.
New Zealand batted first and scored 162 for 3. Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr both made half-centuries and shared a 110-run partnership.
Sri Lanka’s response collapsed quickly.
The Sri Lankan team were bowled out for only 60, giving New Zealand a 102-run victory.
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Women | 60 all out | New Zealand won by 102 runs |
The result was one of the biggest defeats in Women’s T20 World Cup history at that point and significantly damaged Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the semifinals.
The 2023 T20I Series
Later in 2023, the teams met in a three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka.
New Zealand won the series, but Sri Lanka produced an outstanding performance in the third match.
New Zealand scored 140, with Sri Lanka’s bowlers taking five wickets during the final three overs to prevent the visitors from reaching a larger total.
Sri Lanka then chased the target without losing a wicket.
Chamari Athapaththu led the way with a blistering innings, helping Sri Lanka race to victory in only 15 overs.
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st T20I | New Zealand won |
| 2nd T20I | New Zealand won |
| 3rd T20I | Sri Lanka won |
| Series | New Zealand won 2–1 |
The third match became an important landmark because Sri Lanka demonstrated that they could dominate New Zealand when their batting and bowling units performed together.
The Importance of Chamari Athapaththu
Chamari Athapaththu has been central to Sri Lanka’s rise in women’s cricket.
Her aggressive batting style has repeatedly given Sri Lanka the ability to challenge stronger opponents. She has also served as a leader and one of the team’s most recognizable players.
Against New Zealand, her contributions have included important World Cup performances and the match-winning T20I display in 2023.
Her role became even more important as Sri Lanka developed a younger supporting cast around experienced players.
The Rise of Amelia Kerr and New Zealand’s All-Round Strength
New Zealand’s success against Sri Lanka has also been connected with the quality of their all-rounders.
Amelia Kerr became one of the team’s most influential players, contributing with both bat and ball.
Sophie Devine provided another major all-round option, while Suzie Bates remained one of New Zealand’s most experienced batters.
The combination of batting depth, bowling variety and international experience often allowed New Zealand to control matches against Sri Lanka.
The 2026 T20 World Cup Meeting
The most remarkable recent chapter came at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales in June 2026.
New Zealand entered the tournament as defending champions. Sri Lanka were placed in the same group and faced New Zealand at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton.
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat.
Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr both scored 45, helping New Zealand reach 150 for 6 from their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s chase appeared to be in serious trouble at 55 for 4.
However, Nilakshika Silva produced one of the finest innings of her international career.
She remained unbeaten on 54 and built important partnerships with Kavisha Dilhari and Kaushini Nuthyangana.
Sri Lanka eventually reached 153 for 5 with two balls remaining.
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Women | 153/5 | Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets |
Sri Lanka’s victory was particularly significant because New Zealand entered the match as the defending world champions. ICC described it as a major upset, while Silva’s unbeaten 54 became the central performance of the chase.
Nilakshika Silva’s Match-Winning Performance
Silva’s performance against New Zealand was important because Sri Lanka were under considerable pressure after losing four wickets for 55 runs.
Rather than allowing the innings to collapse, she rebuilt the chase.
Her unbeaten 54 included five fours and a six. She first added 50 with Dilhari and then remained composed alongside Nuthyangana during the final stage.
The chase demonstrated Sri Lanka’s growing depth in T20 cricket. Instead of relying entirely on Athapaththu, the team had another player capable of controlling a difficult run chase.
Comparing Major World Cup Meetings
The teams have experienced very different results in major ICC competitions.
New Zealand dominated the 2017 ODI World Cup meeting and the 2023 T20 World Cup encounter. Sri Lanka then produced a historic response in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Women’s World Cup | New Zealand won by 9 wickets |
| 2023 | Women’s T20 World Cup | New Zealand won by 102 runs |
| 2026 | Women’s T20 World Cup | Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets |
These results show how dramatically the competitive balance can change between different generations.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Several leading players have shaped the history between the two teams.
For Sri Lanka, Chamari Athapaththu has been the standout attacking batter, while Nilakshika Silva’s 2026 performance added another major name to the rivalry.
New Zealand have relied on players such as Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr and earlier stars including Rachel Priest and Amy Satterthwaite.
| Sri Lanka Women | New Zealand Women |
|---|---|
| Chamari Athapaththu | Suzie Bates |
| Nilakshika Silva | Sophie Devine |
| Harshitha Samarawickrama | Amelia Kerr |
| Inoka Ranaweera | Amy Satterthwaite |
| Kavisha Dilhari | Rachel Priest |
Each generation has added new players to the rivalry, making it a useful measure of the development of both women’s cricket programs.
Evolution of the Rivalry
The history of Sri Lanka and New Zealand demonstrates the changing landscape of women’s cricket.
In the 2015 and 2017 period, New Zealand regularly controlled matches through superior batting depth and bowling discipline. Sri Lanka were still building their international structure.
By 2023, Sri Lanka had become more capable of producing isolated victories, as shown by their T20I win over New Zealand.
The 2026 World Cup victory went further. Sri Lanka successfully chased 151 after being 55 for 4, defeating the reigning champions on the biggest stage.
This progression shows the increasing competitiveness of women’s international cricket.
Recent Timeline Summary
The major meetings between Sri Lanka Women and New Zealand Women can be summarized as follows:
| Year | Match/Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Bilateral ODI series | New Zealand won 5–0 |
| 2017 | Women’s World Cup | New Zealand won by 9 wickets |
| 2023 | Women’s T20 World Cup | New Zealand won by 102 runs |
| 2023 | T20I series | New Zealand won 2–1 |
| 2026 | Women’s T20 World Cup | Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets |
The timeline shows a rivalry that has gradually become more competitive, particularly in T20 cricket.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka Women-New Zealand Women rivalry has evolved significantly over the past decade. New Zealand dominated the early bilateral and World Cup meetings, including a 5–0 ODI series victory in 2015 and a nine-wicket World Cup win in 2017.
The 2023 T20 World Cup again belonged to New Zealand, who defeated Sri Lanka by 102 runs. However, Sri Lanka responded later that year by winning the third T20I of their home series after chasing 141 without losing a wicket.
The biggest recent moment came at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka chased 151 against defending champions New Zealand, recovering from 55 for 4 to win by five wickets. Nilakshika Silva’s unbeaten 54 was the defining innings.
The rivalry therefore reflects the broader growth of women’s cricket. New Zealand’s established international pedigree remains an important part of the story, but Sri Lanka’s recent performances show their ability to compete against leading teams and create major tournament moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sri Lanka Women and New Zealand Women first play each other?
The two teams have competed across women’s international cricket for several decades, with their meetings becoming more regular through ICC tournaments and bilateral series.
Who won the 2015 ODI series?
New Zealand won the five-match ODI series 5–0. It was their first bilateral ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Who won the 2017 Women’s World Cup match?
New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by nine wickets in Bristol. Suzie Bates scored 106 not out and Holly Huddleston took five wickets.
Who won the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup match?
New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 102 runs after scoring 162 for 3 and dismissing Sri Lanka for 60.
Who won the 2023 T20I series?
New Zealand won the three-match T20I series 2–1, although Sri Lanka won the final match.
How did Sri Lanka win the third T20I in 2023?
Sri Lanka restricted New Zealand to 140 and then chased the target without losing a wicket, with Chamari Athapaththu providing the attacking foundation.
Who won the 2026 T20 World Cup match?
Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by five wickets after successfully chasing 151 in 19.4 overs.
Who scored the winning innings for Sri Lanka in 2026?
Nilakshika Silva scored an unbeaten 54 and guided Sri Lanka through a difficult chase.
What was New Zealand’s score in the 2026 match?
New Zealand scored 150 for 6 from 20 overs, with Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr both scoring 45.
What makes this rivalry important?
The rivalry illustrates the development of women’s cricket, with New Zealand’s established strength being challenged by Sri Lanka’s emerging talent and increasingly competitive performances.