The White Ferns have crushed Sri Lanka by 102 runs in their final T20 World Cup pool game to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
The result comes after their 71-run annihilation of Bangladesh on Saturday, meaning their chances of progressing to the finals now lie solely in the hands of tournament hosts South Africa, who face Bangladesh on Wednesday.
All-rounder Amelia Kerr starred for the Kiwis, blasting 66 off 48 balls before snaring 2/7 to hold Sri Lanka to just 60 runs in a Player of the Match performance.
A maiden T20 international 5️⃣0️⃣ for Melie Kerr! Helping push the side to a big total in Paarl! 🏏
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 19, 2023
Watch play LIVE in NZ on @skysportnz | LIVE scoring https://t.co/6OhmTWyYBg | #T20WorldCup #CricketNation 📸 ICC/Getty pic.twitter.com/VbpaIeLW24
A maiden T20 international 5️⃣0️⃣ for Melie Kerr! Helping push the side to a big total in Paarl! 🏏
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 19, 2023
Watch play LIVE in NZ on @skysportnz | LIVE scoring https://t.co/6OhmTWyYBg | #T20WorldCup #CricketNation 📸 ICC/Getty pic.twitter.com/VbpaIeLW24
Kerr combined with Suzie Bates for a remarkable 110-run second-wicket partnership, with the latter bringing up a half-century of her own to set New Zealand up for an imposing total of 3/162.
Sri Lanka’s struggles in the field were quick to transfer to the bat, with the nation failing to look threatening across their innings.
It took just 18 balls for New Zealand to break through for their first with Eden Carson claiming opener Harshitha Madavi for just 8 runs. It was a downhill spiral from there for the Sri Lankans with a wicket falling almost every over as Kerr and quick Lea Tahuhu tore through the line-up.
Tahuhu continued her phenomenal campaign with figures of 2/4 to become the joint highest-wicket taker of the tournament, tied with Australia’s Megan Schutt for eight wickets.
Two for Tahuhu before Fran Jonas bowled Ranasinghe for 3. Sri Lanka seven down after 12 overs.
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 19, 2023
Watch play LIVE in NZ on @skysportnz | LIVE scoring https://t.co/6OhmTWyYBg | #T20WorldCup #CricketNation 📸 ICC/Getty pic.twitter.com/no4k8sDL4j
Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr and Fran Jonas cleaned up the remaining wickets to hold Sri Lanka to just 60 runs and claim their largest victory of the tournament.
The White Ferns will now wait in anticipation as South Africa takes on Bangladesh on Wednesday, relying on a loss to the hosts to progress to the Semi Finals.
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