That brings us to the end of our live coverage from this game. New Zealand get off to a winning start in Group B. Join us on Monday as India take on Bangladesh in Group A starting at 4:30 PM IST. Till then it's goodbye!
That brings us to the end of our live coverage from this game. New Zealand get off to a winning start in Group B. Join us on Monday as India take on Bangladesh in Group A starting at 4:30 PM IST. Till then it's goodbye!
(New Zealand Captain): We knew we had to stay patient, we know the threat they posses at the top with Chamari. We didn't bowl consistently enough, she got away and played some great shots. But we knew if we got some wickets, we could tighten the screw. (Pitch?) Perth is a little bit bouncier, but that's no excuse, the way Hayley Jensen bowled was fantastic, she hit the deck hard and hit the top of the bat. Amelia is great for us, she has a calm head and it's great to throw her the ball when they're going well. (Raised game as captain?) Seems that way, we've had some fantastic leaders, Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, and I want to be the same, to lead from the front. I've challenged myself to be more consistent over the last 12-18 month. We practiced for this ground, and that worked. We're based at Melbourne for the next three games, so we'll get to know Junction Oval very well. We need to be tighter up top, be disciplined with ball and bat. We were under the pump for a good part of the match but nice to finish it off, Maddy Green played really well and that'll serve us well in this tournament.
(Sri Lanka Captain): We played well in the powerplay. After I got out, the middle and lower order struggled. Credit to New Zealand bowlers, they bowled well and put us under pressure. We tried to play to our potential. Catches win matches, we put down three catches. Devine is a world-class batter. She gave two chances for us, but we couldn't hold onto them. We will have to play freely and that's what I've told my team. This wicket is really good for batters. We have to adapt quickly
(Player of the Match): I was a bit nervy at the start, good to get the first win. Really good performance from the girls. It (pitch) was nice, makes me feel like a faster bowler. We knew that it was a good wicket and they would come hard early. We got a couple of wickets and the pressure was back on them. We just had to stay calm and stick to our plans.
Achini Kulasuriya returns to the attack. Martin cuts the 1st ball down to third man for 2 runs. She then gets a thick edge on the pull as the ball lands safely at midwicket for a single. Devine does read the slower delivery and gets a thick edge which flies over the keeper for FOUR. She then backs away and just guides the last ball past backward point for FOUR. That seals the win for New Zealand with 7 wickets remaining.
Classy from Devine as she waits back and guides the ball past point for the winning runs.
Devine slashes hard at the shorter delivery and gets a thick edge which flies over the keeper.
Chamari Athapaththu returns to the attack. Green flicks the 1st ball to long-on for a single. Devine just pushes the 2nd ball to mid-off. She gets luck with the pull shot on the next delivery as the fielder lets it go through her hands for SIX. Devine drives the 4th ball to long-off for a single. BOWLED! Finally Sri Lanka manage to break the partnership but the damage is already done. Green goes for another big hit but this time misses the slower delivery. Katey Martin walks out to bat and immediately gets off the mark with a single. 9 runs and a wicket from the over. Just 8 needed from 18 balls now.
Green looks to slog across the line but gets beaten by the slower leg-cutter which crashes into the stumps.
Poor fielding from Sri Lanka as Devine pulls the ball and the fielder at deep midwicket lets it burst through her hands and over the boundary.
Udeshika Prabodhani returns for her final over. She has been fantastic so far with figures of 0/4 from her first 3 overs. Both batters take singles off the first 2 balls. Devine tucks the 3rd ball to deep midwicket for 2 runs. They again take singles off the next 2 balls. Prabodhani ends with a poor full toss and Devine takes the opportunity to grab her first SIX of the game. 12 runs off the over. Just 17 needed from 24 balls now.
Prabodhani sends down a low full toss and Devine gets under it sending the ball flying over long-on.
Sugandika Kumari returns to the attack. She gives away singles on the first 4 balls in the over. Devine pulls the 5th delivery towards short fine leg where the fielder does horribly with the ball slipping away for FOUR. Devine then clips the last ball off her pads to bring up her 9 runs come off the over.
New Zealand 99/2 after 15 overs.
