How did Match 7 of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 go between New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women

Sri Lanka Women pulled off a historic five-wicket victory over New Zealand Women in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, on June 16. Batting first, New Zealand Women posted 150/6 in their allotted 20 overs, with Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr leading the way with 45 runs each. For Sri Lanka Women, Kavisha Dilhari was the standout bowler, claiming figures of 2/35.

In response, New Zealand’s bowlers struck early to put Sri Lanka under pressure by removing the top-order batters. However, Nilakshika Silva held her nerve with an unbeaten half-century and stitched together crucial partnerships in the latter stages of the innings to guide her side to a memorable victory. For New Zealand Women, Nensi Patel was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 2/23.

Top batting performance of the match – Nilakshika Silva

Nilakshika Silva emerged as the standout batting performer of the match, scoring an unbeaten 54 off 37 deliveries. Her match-winning knock included five fours and a six and came at an impressive strike rate of 145.95. Silva played a crucial role in Sri Lanka Women’s successful chase, forging a vital 49-run partnership with Kavisha Dilhari before adding another 48 runs alongside Kaushani Nuthyangana. Their contributions ensured Sri Lanka crossed the finish line and secured a memorable victory.

Top bowling performance of the match – Nensi Patel

Nensi Patel was the standout bowler of the match, finishing with impressive figures of 2/23 from her four overs. The New Zealand spinner made early inroads into Sri Lanka’s batting lineup by dismissing Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama during her spell. Despite her economical and impactful performance, Patel’s efforts were not enough to prevent Sri Lanka Women from completing a successful chase.

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

• The match aggregate of 303 runs is the highest in Women’s T20I history involving Sri Lanka Women and New Zealand Women.
• The partnership between Nilakshika Silva and Kavisha Dilhari was a record-breaking effort for Sri Lanka Women, becoming their first 50-plus stand for the fifth wicket or lower in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Who won the Player of the Match?

Nilakshika Silva was deservedly named Player of the Match for her outstanding unbeaten half-century, which guided Sri Lanka Women to a historic victory over New Zealand Women. Her match-winning knock of 54 not out off 37 balls anchored the chase and helped Sri Lanka register their first-ever win against New Zealand in a Women’s T20 World Cup.

What is the next match?

Sri Lanka Women will take on West Indies Women on June 21 at County Ground, Bristol and New Zealand Women will take on Ireland Women on June 19 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.

England interim captain Joe Root has said he is approaching the Test captaincy on a game-by-game basis, but admitted he has been slightly envious of Ben Stokes for having the opportunity to work alongside head coach Brendon McCullum.

Root, who captained England in a record 64 Test matches, will make a remarkable return to the role for the second Test against New Zealand following Stokes’ involvement in an incident at a London nightclub. The former skipper said he is in a very different place compared to when he stepped down as captain. Since relinquishing the role, Root has focused solely on his batting while playing under the leadership of Stokes and McCullum.

“I have really enjoyed the last couple of days working with Baz in a slightly different space. That is one thing, in a small way, in a good way – I was slightly envious of that opportunity to work with someone like Baz in this sort of capacity. It has been really cool the last couple of days,” said Root as quoted by BBC.

Stokes was left out of England’s squad after breaching the team’s midnight curfew on the night following their victory in the first Test. He was also present during an incident in which a member of England’s security staff was struck by a Saracens rugby player. Root revealed that he has spoken to Stokes since last week’s incident but said he preferred to keep the details of their conversations private.

The interim captain insisted that Stokes continues to command the respect of the England dressing room. Reflecting on his unexpected return to the role, Root said he would have rated the chances of becoming England captain again earlier this year at just 0.1%.

“Let’s not look beyond this week. That’s the most important thing, trying to deliver a really good performance this week. It’s quite a young group of players. So, [I want] to offer my experience in that capacity and focus purely on trying to deliver this week,” said Root.

Root was preferred over vice-captain Harry Brook, who was overlooked amid his own off-field controversy in Wellington, where he was involved in an incident at a bar on the eve of a white-ball match last winter. The former England captain will now lead an inexperienced side in the second Test, with Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker among those set to make their Test debuts.

Root has previously revealed that he stepped down from the captaincy because he had developed an unhealthy relationship with the role. However, he admitted that it took only a brief period of consideration before agreeing to return as England’s stand-in captain this time around.

“The only thinking that came to my mind is what is the best thing for this team, and is it going to have a big effect on me and my personal life, and which outweighed the other. We played around 20 Test matches in those Covid environments and watched the rest of the world go back to normality around you,” said Root.

“You are living a very different way to the rest of society. Over time that took its toll on the group but also myself. I found I ended up being so consumed with everything I wasn’t the person I wanted to be and it was the right time to step away, not just because our performances weren’t where they needed to be. It was a great opportunity for a fresh start for English cricket and was absolutely the right decision. It is going to be cool to experience it this side of it, the captaincy side of it with Baz and with this coaching group. I have never had more fun and got more out of a group of coaches than this one,” he added.

England will be without wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval after he left the squad for the birth of his daughter. Smith’s second child was born on June 16, just a day before the match began, and James Rew has been called up as his replacement.

Rew will keep wicket and bat at No. 7, becoming one of three England players set to make their Test debuts. He joins batter Jordan Cox and fast bowler Sonny Baker in a significantly reshaped side. It is the first time since England’s Test against South Africa at The Oval in 2017 that the team has fielded three debutants in the same XI.

The changes form part of a wider overhaul following England’s 115-run victory in the opening Test at Lord’s. In total, England have made five changes to the side. Joe Root has been appointed interim captain for the match, taking charge in the absence of regular skipper Ben Stokes. Although Harry Brook is England’s official vice-captain, the selectors have opted for Root’s experience to lead the team.

England will also be without Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson. Jofra Archer returns to the Test side after successfully managing his workload during and after his Indian Premier League campaign. His comeback provides a major boost to England’s pace attack.

The match comes amid reports that Stokes and Atkinson were stood down following an incident that allegedly involved an altercation with a Saracens rugby player. Reports suggest that an ECB support staff member required medical attention.

For New Zealand, Henry Nicholls replaces Kane Williamson after the former captain’s surprise retirement from international cricket. Opener Devon Conway, who briefly returned home for the birth of his child following the defeat at Lord’s, has rejoined the squad and will play in the second Test.

England XI for Second Test vs New Zealand:

Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, James Rew (WK), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Matt Fisher, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker