New Zealand faces Sri Lanka in the seventh match of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Tuesday, June 16, at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. New Zealand is looking to bounce back after a surprising loss to the West Indies in their first match.
The White Ferns struggled with their fielding, allowing the West Indies several chances that led to their defeat. As defending champions, they need a win against Sri Lanka to avoid potential elimination from the tournament.
Sri Lanka also had a tough start, losing by 87 runs to England in their opening match. Led by Chamari Athapaththu, they need to regroup quickly to break their seven-match losing streak in T20 World Cup games.
The Sri Lankan team will draw some confidence from their recent T20I series against New Zealand, which ended in a draw in March 2025. Both teams are eager for their first win, making this match highly anticipated.
NZ-W vs SL-W Match Info
| Date | Fixture | Match No | Venue | Start time (Local time) |
| Tuesday, June 16 | New Zealand women vs Sri Lanka women | 7 | The Rose Bowl, Southampton | 2:30 PM |
Venue Statistics (WT20Is)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 6 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 4 |
| Matches Won Bowling First | 2 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 151 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 132 |
| Highest Total Recorded | 197/3 (20) by England vs New Zealand, 2024 |
| Lowest Total Recorded | 103/10 (19.4) by Pakistan vs England, 2016 |
| Highest Score Chased | 163 [163/3 in 19.5 overs] by West Indies vs New Zealand, 2026 |
| Lowest Score Defended | 132 by England vs Australia, 2011 |
The Rose Bowl Pitch Report and Playing Conditions:
| Aspect | Batters | Pacers | Spinners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Assistance | Good | Good | Good |
| Bounce | Good | Good | Decent |
| Movement | Good | Minimal after powerplay | Decent |
| Best Phase | Powerplay | With new ball | Middle Overs |
NZ-W vs SL-W Head-to-Head record in WT20Is
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 17 |
| New Zealand Women | 14 |
| Sri Lanka Women | 02 |
| No Result | 01 |
New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women Playing XI Prediction
New Zealand Women (NZ-W):
Izzy Gaze (wk), Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr (C), Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Sharp, Jess Kerr, Nensi Patel, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu/Bree Illing
Sri Lanka Women (SL-W):
Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Imesha Dulani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya Bench
Players to watch out for in NZ-W vs SL-W
Chamari Athapaththu
After a tough outing with just 4 runs in her last match against England, the Sri Lankan captain needs to perform better. She was recently named Player of the Series against Bangladesh and is crucial for her team’s success in the next game.
Amelia Kerr
The New Zealand captain also struggled in her first match, scoring only 5 runs and bowling with figures of 0/41. She had good form in warm-ups, scoring half-centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa, and will need to lead her team effectively.