5 Nov 2018

White Ferns win T20 warm-up match

5:04 pm on 5 November 2018

The White Ferns have won their opening World T20 warm-up match against Sri Lanka at Coolidge Cricket Club in Antigua.

Maddy Green

Maddy Green Photo: Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz

Captain Amy Satterthwaite won the toss and chose to bowl first, her decision instantly rewarded with a wicket off the first ball of the second over from Lea Tahuhu.

Spin then swiftly took over for the White Ferns with young leg spinner Amelia Kerr bamboozling the Sri Lankan batting line up on her way to 4-13 from three overs.

Jess Watkin chipped in with 2-15 as the White Ferns put the squeeze on, knocking over the Sri Lankan batting order on the last ball of the 20th over for 98.

The White Ferns chase didn't start well losing three quick wickets to find themselves in early trouble at 11-3 in the third over.

However the cool heads of Suzie Bates (34) and vice-captain Maddy Green 36* ensured the chase got back on track.

Green was particularly impressive, timing her innings well, finding the gaps between boundary fielders with regularity.

Green was retired on 36 to give the rest of the middle order some batting practice in the foreign conditions.

Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Hayley Jensen saw the White Ferns home to a six-wicket win with two overs to spare.

The White Ferns play the West Indies in two days for their final warm-up match before opening the World T20 tournament against India on November 10th (NZT).