Live Score

8:30 PM: The mop-up work is in full swing. The umpires have carried out the inspection. They did have a closer look at the wet patches on the outfield.

8:45 PM: We have an update folks. The game will restart at 9:15 PM. The second innings has been reduced to 30 overs.

8:49 PM: Scratch the previous update yet again! The rain has returned once again in Colombo, and the ground staff are back in action rushing to get the covers on. Just when it looked promising for a restart, the heavens have opened up once again! We’ve got exactly 61 minutes left to the cut off time for a 20-over chase. And just as I type, the rain has picked up its pace.

9:10 PM: The rain has grown heavier, and the ground staff are huddled together. There’s nothing they can do until the shower eases. With just 40 minutes left before the cut-off time, the chances of getting any play today look very slim.

9:15 PM: That’s it! The inevitable announcement has come from Colombo. The two captains are shaking hands. The Match has been abandoned due to rain. Both teams will share a point each. This marks the second abandoned game of the tournament, and on both occasions, Sri Lanka have been involved.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka Women opted to bat first after winning the toss, and skipper Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with a  fluent knock. She looked in fine touch, punishing anything loose, while Vishmi Gunaratne played the supporting role, taking her time to settle in. New Zealand failed to make early inroads as Sri Lanka reached 52/0 at the end of the powerplay.  Gunaratne got a couple of lifelines on 26 and 31. The pair of Gunaratne & Athapaththu added a solid 101-run opening stand before Devine finally struck, dismissing her opposite number for 53.

Gunaratne too followed soon after for a well-compiled 53, and though Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera tried to rebuild with a 58-run stand, New Zealand managed to pull things back after Harshitha’s dismissal for 26. The White Ferns found some control late in the innings, removing Perera for 44 and Dilhari for 4 in quick succession. But Nilakshi de Silva turned the momentum back Sri Lanka’s way with an explosive knock down the order. She played some stunning strokes, racing to a 26-ball fifty and finishing unbeaten on 55 off just 28 balls, powering Sri Lanka to a strong 258/6 — with 80 runs coming in the final 10 overs. Sophie Devine (3/54) was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, claiming 3/54. Bree Illing (2/39) & Rosemary Mair (1/29) supported their skipper well.

Things took a dramatic turn later in the evening. Just minutes before the run chase was about to begin, the skies opened up, and a heavy downpour halted play for around an hour. The ground staff did a remarkable job to get the field ready, and the teams were set to restart at 9:15 PM for a 30-over chase. But the rain wasn’t done yet. It returned once more and ultimately ruled the contest, leading to the match being called off. Both teams walk away with a point each.

Sophie Devine (New Zealand Women Captain): "Look, I thought Sri Lanka batted really well. I thought we have seen a theme in this tournament which has started to develop where teams are trying to keep wickets in hand and then exploit in the backend. I thought we managed to pull things back a little bit after the powerplay but when you have wickets in hand, you can be aggressive. It was probably a 240-250 wicket but I feel we gave away a few more runs. Shame that the weather had to play it's part.

It's a hard one. Stats and numbers can go to a level but sometimes you need to go with your gut. Today, it probably didn't happen the way we wanted but Bree is a really good bowler. That's the beauty of cricket isn't it of how you manipulate those match-ups and numbers. You need to trust your gut. It was another experience for our bowlers to go out there against an experienced Sri Lankan side. It will be something we will be revisiting and readjusting in the upcoming games.

(On her own bowling) I bowled just 1 over in the previous game and I only have myself to blame. I just try to see how I can fit in amongst the rest of the group. We have got so much variety in our side. I try to fit in wherever I think it's needed. I guess today, I was effective on that wicket. 

(On the next game) Hopefully a full game. We know Pakistan will be a real handful in these conditions. They have pushed different teams in this tournament already. We will review half the game which we played today. We will come up with new plans. The outfield here is slightly different from what we had in India. We just hope that we can get a full game on that day."

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka Women Captain): "Actually, we assessed the conditions and we played our good cricket today. I'm happy with our batting performance. But the rain arrived. We can't control those things. We have three games left. We will look to perform well.

Vishmi is our number 1 opener. Last six months, she struggled as opener. That's why she moved to number four. We spoke with the selectors and coaches and her and we got her back to opening with me. I think it worked well for us.

Nilakshi is one of the experienced players in our team. Last 12 months, she is playing good cricket for us.

Actually, that score is good for defend. I feel we missed another 20-25 runs. But that score is defendable. I talked to the bowlers about attacking the stumps and keeping them in play before the second innings.

Definitely. Next game is crucial for us. We have to win all three games. We have some improvements to make but let's hope we get a full game."

That brings an end to our coverage of this rain-curtailed fixture from R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Tomorrow, England Women will take on Pakistan Women at the same venue. Let's hope the weather is clear tomorrow and we get a full contest. Do join us for that. For now, this is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Pritam Dey, scorer Bishal Mandal and stats guy Aman. Until next time, cheers and good bye.