An outstanding fifth-wicket stand and an even better sixth-wicket partnership electrified a Sri Lanka chase and propelled them to a tight final-over win against New Zealand. Nilakshika Silva  was the primary architect. Having arrived at the crease at 55 for 4, with the required rate soon climbing above nine, she produced her finest international innings – a perfectly-paced 54 not out off 37 that saw Sri Lanka to victory with two balls and five wickets to spare.

Nilakshika had serious support in the two partnerships she was involved in. Kavisha Dilhari joined her for a 50-run stand that repaired the innings, though New Zealand were still firm favourites when they were parted with 45 still needed off 30 deliveries. Kaushini Nuthyangana, who had already had a good game behind the stumps, then hit a nerveless 24 not out off 14, outpacing even Nilakshika during a stand that yielded 48 runs off 28 deliveries.

New Zealand were scuttled by their own poor catching again. Had Bree Illing held a sitter at short fine leg in the 10th over, Nilakshika would have been out for only 1, and New Zealand would have claimed five wickets in five overs. Their ground fielding also fell away during the last few overs, when Sri Lanka’s batters were beginning to reverse pressure effectively.

Their batting had also been reined in by a tight Sri Lankan bowling effort, in which the spinners imposed themselves. Sophie Devine and Melie Kerr hit 45 each, but 150 for 6 always seemed a little light on a Southampton surface that was a little slow, but remained largely good for batting.

The loss means New Zealand have lost their two opening matches, and must now treat games against England, Scotland, and Ireland as must-wins. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are on the points table following their opening defeat at the hands of England. They will now prepare for the match against West Indies on Sunday. A victory there will set them up beautifully for a semi-finals push.

Nilakshika resurrects Sri Lanka

When Nilakshika arrived, Sri Lanka were down to their last three recognised batters, with 95 runs to get off 57 deliveries. It was clear she was timing the ball nicely from the outset, but she repeatedly had trouble piercing the infield and did not find her first boundary until the 13th ball she faced. Thankfully for Sri Lanka, Dilhari was buoyant through the early phase of this partnership, never allowing the required rate to climb too far out of reach.

After the 12th over, however, Nilakshika began to find the open spaces. There were fours through wide mid on and extra cover, and then a six over the head of Devine at deep midwicket, who could have pouched that catch had she stood closer to the rope.

A running mix-up, which perhaps was Nilakshika’s fault, cost Dilhari her wicket. But that only seemed to solidify the resolve within Nilakshika to see the chase through. She was magnificent through the last five overs, finding vital boundaries just as the pressure was mounting, while finding singles in between. With 28 runs needed off the last two overs, it was Nilakshika’s two boundaries off Melie in the 18th that swung the match more decisively in Sri Lanka’s favour. One was a bent-kneed square drive through cover point when Melie had hung the ball out wide. One was a sweep she blasted past Jess Kerr at fine leg.

Nuthyangana shines behind the stumps and with bat

Nuthyangana produced both Sri Lanka’s first piece of brilliance in this game, as well as their last. Her low catch to dismiss Isabella Gaze off the bowling of slinger Mithali Amodhya set the tone for a spirited Sri Lanka fielding performance. She would go on to claim two further catches – running hard towards fine leg to get under one high chance, plus an easier take to dismiss Brooke Halliday, though she did instigate the review that overturned the not out decision.

It will be for her batting that she will be remembered in this game, however. She’d had a high score of 19 not out in 10 T20I innings before this, but played a near-flawless finishing hand alongside Silva. Her first two boundaries came through wide long on, but crucially, she also found the singles and twos in between these bigger blows. With two required off three balls, she spanked one through square leg to spark beaming smiles and joyful celebrations in the Sri Lanka dugout.

Devine and Kerr hold NZ together

In the absence of Suzie Bates, Devine and Kerr were easily New Zealand’s most experienced batters, and they hit 45 apiece to keep the New Zealand innings above water. Kerr enjoyed a 49-run stand with Georgia Plimmer, though both batters failed to find frequent boundaries in the powerplay. Devine later led New Zealand through the middle overs, as Sri Lanka’s spinners found breakthroughs, striking at 150.

NZ’s four in four

New Zealand’s best passage in the game came between overs five and nine in Sri Lanka’s innings, in which they claimed four wickets for 10 runs. Offspinner Nensi Patel struck twice through this spell, eventually finishing with New Zealand’s best figures of 2 for 23. Bree Illing took the important wicket of Chamari Athapaththu, who made 27. The other wicket came from an excellent direct hit run out from Melie Kerr.

SCORES:
Sri Lanka Women  153 for 5 in 19.4 overs (Vishmi Guneratne 17, Chamari Athapaththu 27, Kavisha Dilhari 17, Nilakshika Silva 54*, Kaushini Nuthyangana 24*; Bree Illing 1-33,  Nensi Patel 2-23) beat New Zealand Women  150 for 6 (Georgia Plimmer 18, Sophie Devine 45, Melie Kerr 45, Maddy Green 18*; Mithali Ayodya 1-24, Sugandika Kumari 1-28, Chamari Athapaththu 1-21, Nimasha Meepage 1-26, Kavisha Dilhari 2-35) by five wickets

[Cricinfo]

Rumesh Tharanga will head to the Doha Diamond League as the athlete to beat following a commanding victory at the Ostrava Golden Spike on Tuesday.

‎Fresh from his recent record-breaking exploits, Tharanga once again stamped his authority on the world stage, dominating the competition with three throws beyond the 85-metre mark. Remarkably, any one of those efforts would have been enough to secure victory.

‎The 23-year-old produced his best throw of 86.57 metres in the third round to claim top honours ahead of two-time world champion Anderson Peters, who finished second with a best effort of 84.27 metres.

‎Tharanga’s consistency throughout the competition underlined his status as one of the world’s leading javelin throwers. His latest triumph further strengthens his credentials ahead of the Doha Diamond League, where he is expected to be among the favourites alongside World champion Keshorn Walcott, two-time world champion Anderson Peters and world bronze medallist Curtis Thompson.

‎Tuesday’s victory continues a remarkable season for the former Peterite, who has emerged as a genuine contender on the international circuit with a string of world-class performances. [RF]

Chanuth Jayasinghaarachchi and Bihandu Hansana produced the most influential individual performances of the day as they guided their respective teams to convincing victories in the Under-17 Division I cricket tournament.

‎At Anuradhapura, Chanuth Jayasinghaarachchi led Dharmaraja College’s batting effort with a top score of 84 runs as they posted a formidable 282 all out against Sri Rahula College Katugastota. Supported by Mandil Gunawardhana (44), Deneth Abeyrathna (34) and Imash Galapitiya’s unbeaten 31, Chanuth’s innings laid the foundation for a dominant display. Dharmaraja’s bowlers then completed a comprehensive victory by dismissing Sri Rahula for 138, with Hiruka Ekanayake claiming 3 for 15.

‎Meanwhile, at Godagamuwa, Bihandu Hansana produced the bowling performance of the day, claiming an outstanding six wickets for 42 runs in his 10 overs to dismantle Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya for 143. His remarkable spell overshadowed Chanul Nethsitha’s 47 and put St. Anthony’s Wattala firmly in control. The chase was completed comfortably as Sadeesha Kavinda blasted an unbeaten 38 off just 14 balls, including three fours and four sixes, steering St. Anthony’s to 145 for 5 in 28.3 overs.

‎At Henegama, Wesley rattled Henegama Central for 31 runs to record a 127 run win.

‎Wesley beat Henegama Central at Henegama

‎Scores:

‎Wesley 158 all out in 44.5 overs (Shamma Fernando 46, Chanuka Vidharshana 49, Thimira Senarathna 24; Sehas Damsiha 3/28, Danuna Shanilka 2/37, Janidu Imesha 4/32)

‎Henegama 31 all out in 23 overs (Charana Malimbada 2/11, Rehan Perera 4/11, Adhyaan Zian 2/02)

‎

St. Peter’s beat Tissa Central at Kalutara

‎Scores:

‎Tissa Central 85 all out in 29.5 overs

(Sadew Wijesooriya 22; Mickhaeel Faleel2/26, Diyon Alwis 3/21, Lesan Perera 3/06)

‎St. Peter’s 87 for 6 in 24.4 overs (Hirun Noyah 22, Sashidu Silva 19, Diyon Alwis 20n.o.; Tharuka de Silva 2/10, Shenal Geenula 2/23)

‎

‎Jaffna Hindu beat St. Thomas’ at Matale

‎Scores:

‎Jaffna Hindu 257 all out in 49.5 overs

(Balamuralitharan Anish 66, Nesaroopan Nerujan 77, Sivalogesan Sivakajeesan 50)

‎St. Thomas’ Matale 126 all out in 39.6 overs

‎

‎Dharmaraja beat Sri Rahula at Anuradhapura

‎Scores:

‎Dharmaraja 282 all out in 44.5 overs (Chanuth Jayasinghaarachchi 84, Mandil Gunawardhana 44, Deneth Abeyrathna 34, Imash Galapitiya 31n.o.)

‎Sri Rahula 138 al out in 36.3 overs (Hiruka Ekanayake 3/15)

‎

‎St. Anthony’s beat Sri Dharmaloka at Godagamuwa

‎Scores:

‎Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya143 all out in 34.5 overs

(Chanul Nethsitha 47; Bihandu Hansana 6/42)

‎St. Anthony’s Wattala 145 for 5 in 28.3 overs

(Karindra Kujana 25, Sadeesha Kavinda 38n.o.)

(RF)