By Srian Obeyesekere

Rain has proved to be a spoiler to the much looked to Sri Lanka A Women versus New Zealand 3-match unofficial ODI series with the first two matches having being consigned to the rain at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium with the final game today.

It has largely dimmed the interest and expectancy of the A team players of the two countries for whom the tour was looked upon as a great opportunity to flaunt their talents for greater recognition.

While the first game was altogether sucked up by the rain, the weather gods could not prevent the Sri Lankan Women displaying their colours in no uncertain terms in the batting department in running up a sizable total of 197 for 9 wickets off 50 overs with lower order batter Dewmi Vihanga stealing the honours by an enterprising 44 off 48 balls hoisting two over the top and two to the boundary.

But as it was, the rains came in-between when the Lankan lasses were pressing for victory having reduced the Kiwis to 66 for 4 wickets in 10.1 overs chasing a rain reduced 123 target off 20 overs when the rains came on again.

For the Lankans, Vimaksha Balasuriya struck a next best 31 off 57 hitting 3 boundaries followed by Limansa Thilakarathna 24 off 36 and Rashmika Sewwandi a rousing 16 with a six and two to the ropes.

Hannah Rowe with 3 for 30 was New Zealand’s pick of the bowlers followed by Bella Armstrong 2 for 21 and Emma Block 2 for 49.

Chief scores

Sri Lanka A Women 197/9 (50 Overs)

Dewmi Vihanga 44, Vimoksha Balasuriya 31, Sumudu Nisansala 24, Limansa Thilakarathna 24, Sathya Sandeepani 16, Rashmika Sewwandi 16, Hannah Rowe 3/30,  Bella Armstrong 2/21, Emma Block 2/49, Marama Dawnes 1/30

New Zealand A Women 66/4 (10.1 Overs) chasing revised 123 Target 20 Overs

Bella Junos 20, Kate Anderson 19, Bella Armstrong 13, Tharuka Shehani 1/11, Rashmika Sewwandi 1/15.