New Zealand spinners Amelia Kerr, Eden Carson and Leigh Kasperek orchestrated Sri Lanka's downfall as the Kiwis registered a comfortable five-wicket victory in the opening T20I of the three-match series at the P Sara Oval stadium on Saturday.
New Zealand women's coach Ben Sawyer expressed his happiness as pace bowler Rosemary Mair and wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze made it to the White Ferns' women's squad for their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
Kerr, the first player to be awarded the newly-minted Debbie Hockley Medal for the most outstanding women's cricketer of the year, was also named the ANZ Women's T20I Player of the Year.
With this win, New Zealand has climbed up to second place in the points table with two wins in four matches and two losses. They have a total of four points. Sri Lanka also has the same statistics but is in third place due to its inferior net-run rate
Suzie Bates' superb 81 runs set the White Ferns on their way to a first victory of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 validating their decision to bat first with a tournament-high 189/3
It came as little surprise when Gardner was chosen Player of the Series for her achievements in India, and she added to her joy by receiving the monthly ICC award.
New Zealand scored 123 runs owing to swift starts by openers Bates and Devine. Devine sped to a 39-ball 42 that had four fours, while Bates finished with an 80-ball 51. Salma Khatun struck in the 16th over to dismiss Devine, and Ritu Moni struck in the 26th to dismiss Bates.