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Key Points

Sri Lanka put up an impressive batting performance against New Zealand in the Women's World Cup. Nilakshi de Silva played a blistering innings, scoring the fastest fifty by a Sri Lankan in women's ODIs. The team benefited from strong partnerships throughout their innings, including a century opening stand. This total gives Sri Lanka a fighting chance to secure their first win of the tournament.

Key Points: Nilakshi de Silva Fastest Fifty Powers Sri Lanka to 258/6 vs NZ

  • Nilakshi de Silva smashed the fastest fifty by a Sri Lankan in women's ODIs
  • Skipper Chamari Athapaththu contributed with a useful half-century
  • Sri Lanka posted their second-highest World Cup total of 258/6
  • The opening partnership of 101 runs set a solid foundation early on
2 min read

ICC Women's WC: Nilakshi's historic fifty powers SL to 258/6 against NZ

Nilakshi de Silva smashes record 26-ball fifty as Sri Lanka posts 258/6 against New Zealand in ICC Women's World Cup clash at Colombo.

"Silva's fifty came in 26 balls, as she broke her own record of reaching the milestone in 28 balls against India earlier this year. - Match Report"

Colombo, October 14

Sri Lanka batter Nilakshi de Silva slammed the fastest fifty by a player from her team in Women's ODIs during the ICC Women's World Cup clash against New Zealand at Colombo on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka marched to 258/6 in their 50 overs against New Zealand, with Nilakshi and skipper Chamari Athapaththu contributing useful half-centuries. Silva's fifty came in 26 balls, as she broke her own record of reaching the milestone in 28 balls against India earlier this year.

SL won the toss and opted to bat first. Skipper Athapaththu had a fine start with the opener Vishmi Gunaratne (42 in 83 balls, with three fours), stitching a 101-run opening stand and bringing only the third century partnership for Lanka in women's WC. The duo also completed 858 runs as a partnership duo for Sri Lanka in ODIs, the most by a pair for any wicket, within just 21 innings, outdoing Dedunu de Silva and Chamari Polgampola (857 runs in 31 innings).

After Rosemary Mair (1/29) and skipper Sophie Devine (3/54) removed the openers to leave SL at 125/2, it was Hasini Perera (44 in 61 balls, with six fours) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (26 in 31 balls, with two fours) who stitched a third-wicket 58-run stand.

However, Bree Illing (2/39) and Devine triggered a mini-collapse, leaving SL struggling at 198/5 in 42.4 overs.

Nilakshi (55* in 28 balls, with seven fours and a six) and Anushka Sanjeewani (6*) took SL to 258/6, their second-highest total in the World Cup after 282/5 against India at Brabourne in the 2013 edition.

Sri Lanka, which has not won a game yet and sits in the second-to-last spot with two losses and no result, will aim to secure its first win.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Breaking her own record - that's some achievement! The opening partnership of 101 runs laid a solid foundation. Good to see women's cricket getting this level of competitive play in the subcontinent.
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Sarah B
As a cricket fan from Australia, I must say this was an impressive batting performance. The way they recovered from 198/5 to reach 258/6 shows great fighting spirit. Women's cricket in Asia is really evolving!
A
Arjun K
While the batting was good, the middle-order collapse is concerning. They need to work on consistency throughout the innings. Still, Nilakshi's finishing was brilliant - exactly what you need in pressure situations.
K
Kavya N
Seven fours and a six in that knock! 🏏 The partnership records mentioned show how much the Sri Lankan women's team has improved. Hope this inspires more girls in our region to take up cricket seriously.
M
Michael C
The statistics speak volumes - 858 runs as a partnership duo in just 21 innings is world-class. This kind of performance makes women's cricket more exciting to watch. Hope they defend this total well!

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