Rain a spoiler at Dambulla

Wednesday, 13 May 2026 12:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka A women’s captain Sathya Sandeepani and New Zealand A women’s captain Jess Watkin with the One-day Series trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the three-match series

Vishmi Gunaratne and Sanjana Kavindi produced an opening stand of 60

Dewmi Vihanga slaps one past mid-on for a boundary

Kayley Knight who took two top order wickets rejoices with team mates

Sri Lanka A-New Zealand A first unofficial WODI ends in a no-result

Rain had the final say in the first unofficial women’s ODI between Sri Lanka A and New Zealand A which ended in a no-result at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Sri Lanka A winning the toss and taking first lease of the wicket progressed to 217-7 in 42 overs when rain halted play and forced a permanent stoppage.

Vishmi Gunaratne returning to competitive cricket after a wrist injury had kept her out of Sri Lanka’s tour to Bangladesh and 17-year-old Sri Lanka Under19 cricketer Sanjana Kavindi provided a solid partnership of 60 off 65 balls for the first wicket.

Gunaratne scored a pleasing 23 off 39 balls before getting caught down the leg side off right-arm seamer Kayley Knight who also sent back another Sri Lanka U19 batter Vimoksha Balasuriya off successive overs.

Kavindi joined hands with Sumudu Nisansala to raise another half-century partnership – 68 off 78 balls. Kavindi was dismissed for a well-compiled 45 off 61 balls (4 fours, 1 six). Her dismissal brought forth a middle order collapse when Sri Lanka A lost four wickets for 29 runs with seamer Emma Black threatening to run through the batting by picking up the wickets of Piumi Wathsala (8) and skipper Sathya Sandeepani (0) cheaply.

Limansa Thilakaratna (21*) and Dewmi Vihanga (32 off 33 balls, 4 fours,1 six) halted the slide with an enterprising stand of 52 off 58 balls carrying the total past the 200-run mark when rain ended play.

New Zealand A were guilty of conceding 34 extras of which 31 were wides. Add to that, their catching and ground fielding left a lot to be desired. They allowed the Lankan batters the luxury of a charmed life. Had those chances been accepted Sri Lanka would have struggled to get to 150.

For this three-match unofficial WODI series Sri Lanka has named a 15-member squad comprising Sathya Sandeepani (Captain), Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Vimoksha Balasuriya, Lihini Apsara, Limansa Thilakarathna, Dewmi Vihanga, Sumudu Nisansala, Rashmika Sewwandi, Piumi Wathsala, Randi Premarathne, Satheeskumar Sajinthiny, Rashmi Silva, Chamudi Praboda and Tharuka Shehani.

The squad includes several Sri Lanka U19 players like the captain Chamudi Praboda, Sanjana Kavindi, Vimoksha Balasuriya and Limansa Thilakarathna.

The second unofficial women’s ODI will take place at the same venue on 15 May. – [ST]

Scores:

Sri Lanka Women’s A 217-7 (42) (Vishmi Gunaratne 23, Sanjana Kavindi 45, Sumudu Nisansala 50, Limansa Thilakarathna 21*, Dewmi Vihanga 32, Extras 34, Emma Black 2/45, Kayley Knight 2/35, Jess Watkin 2/29) v New Zealand Women A