New Zealand And Sri Lanka Record First Wins

New Zealand And Sri Lanka Record First Wins

Sophie Devine was named player of the match in the day's first game.

©Action Images / Lee Smith

New Zealand Women got their ICC Women's World Twenty20 campaign back on track with a comfortable victory over South Africa Women in Galle, while hosts Sri Lanka had the better of a rain-affected second game against West Indies.

Sophie Devine and Frances Mackay had been the stars for the Kiwis in the day's first match as they led their side to 151 for five from their 20 overs, overcoming an early Susan Benade double-strike which had seen them slip to 24 for two. Devine and Mackay added 94 in 75 balls, with Devine reaching 59 before falling to Sunette Loubser and Mackay departing one short of her half-century to Dane van Niekerk.

South Africa struggled in their reply, also losing both openers early, this time to Erin Bermingham, before Alison Hodgkinson and Susan Benade attempted to play the rebuilding role that Mackay and Devine had earlier. However, their third-wicket partnership was terminated at 38 by Nicola Browne (three for 13) and, in spite of a determined 34 not out from 28 balls from van Niekerk at number eight, they never really threatened to overhaul the target thereafter.

The second match, between, Sri Lanka and West Indies was badly affected by the weather, with West Indies, set a Duckworth Lewis-adjusted target of 48 off eight overs, falling short to end on 42 for eight as Chamani Seneviratna and Inoka Ranaweera each taking two wickets and Stacey-Ann King was the only West Indies batter to reach double figures.

The home side had earlier had their first innings ended at 50 for three in the 11th over by the rain, with captain Shashikala Siriwardene unbeaten on 18 off 18 balls and opener Inoka Galagedara making 15 off 12 balls prior to falling leg-before to Shanel Daley.

Australia have replaced Sarah Coyte in their squad with Nicola Carey. Carey, 19, is uncapped.

© Cricket World 2012