NZ-W vs SL-W Match Prediction, 1st ODI: Who will win today's match?

The season for women's international cricket has begun and it will be the New Zealand Women (NZ-W) who will be hosting the series against Sri Lanka Women (SL-W). The three-match ODI series is set to start on Tuesday, March 4. Interestingly, for these ODI fixtures, there will be some young and new players in the mix.

Notably, White Ferns are the T20 World Champions but they have not had a lot of success in the ODI format. So far Kiwi women have lost the last four ODI series they have played. Besides, the hosts will be missing some experienced players in the mix as well with Sophie Devine opting for a personal break and Amelia Kerr playing the ongoing Women’s Premier League.

The Sri Lanka Women's side has also faced their fair share of troubles in the format. The last two ODI series they played were against Ireland Women and Bangladesh Women which have been disappointing for them. Chamari Athapaththu and her girls will want to prove themselves in these three ODIs and find some form in the format.

Match Details

Match New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women, 1st ODI, Sri Lanka Women tour of New Zealand 2025

Venue McLean Park, Napier Date & Time Tuesday, March 04, 2025, 6:30 am (IST) Live Broadcast and Streaming Details FanCode (app & website)

Pitch Report

The McLean Park in Napier is a pitch that is normally great for the batters but eventually slows down as the game progresses. While the pacers do get some assistance with the new ball, it seems to get better to bat in the first innings. By the second innings, the batting tends to get slightly tougher indicating that batting first might be a better option on this wicket.

Click Here: New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI

Head-to-Head record

Matches Played 13 Won by New Zealand Women 11 Won by Sri Lanka Women 02 Tied 00 No Result 00 First-ever Fixture 13 Dec, 1997 Most-recent Fixture 03 Jul, 2023

Predicted Playing XIs

New Zealand Women:

Suzie Bates (c), Maddy Green, Lauren Down, Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Emma McLeod, Bree Illing, Isabella Gaze, Eden Carson, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe.

Sri Lanka Women:

Harshitha Samarawickrama, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Vishmi Gunaratne, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Manudi Nanayakkara, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya.

Also Check: NZ-W vs SL-W Dream11 Prediction, 1st ODI

Probable Best Performers

Probable Best batter: Suzie Bates

Suzie Bates. (Photo Source: Jan Kruger-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

This will be a great opportunity for Suzie Bates to find some form since she has been hot and cold in the last season. The interim New Zealand skipper will want to get some runs under her belt, especially in home conditions in a bid to lead from the front.

Probable Best bowler: Hannah Rowe

Hannah Rowe. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Hannah Rowe has been in great form so far and will be looking to continue her great performances in the upcoming series. The 28-year-old right-arm pacer will be leading the pace bowling unit going into the series and will be hoping for more great spells.

Today's Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match

Scenario 1

New Zealand Women win the toss and opt to bat first

Powerplay: 60-70

NZ-W: 270-280

New Zealand women win the match

Scenario 2

Sri Lanka Women win the toss and opt to bat first

Powerplay: 40-55

SL-W: 240-260

Sri Lanka Women win the match

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.

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