Twitter Reactions: Suzie Bates’ astounding all-round show propels New Zealand to resounding win in first T20I against Sri Lanka

New Zealand women scripted a remarkable comeback in the first T20I against Sri Lanka on Saturday, July 8 after the loss of the ODI series as former skipper Suzie Bates produced an astounding all-round effort to help her side draw first blood in the three-match T20I series.

Sri Lanka registered an emphatic win in the ODI series against New Zealand recently, winning two out of the three games that were played. The side looked to put in a similar performance as the T20I series got underway; however, the visitors had a different plan in mind.

Coming into bat first after losing the toss, Sri Lanka got off to the worst possible start to the game as skipper Chamari Athapaththu was sent packing for a golden duck. Losing one of their most important batters right at the start of the innings, derailed the host’s plans further.

Vishmi Gunaratne was the highest run-getter for Sri Lanka while setting up the target, she amassed 26 runs in 28 deliveries before she was caught and bowled by Amelia Kerr. Harshitha Samarawickrama failed to make an impact with the bat as well, scoring just 12 runs.

Things went from bad to worse for Sri Lanka as the entirety of the middle order did not impress. Hansima Karunaratne scored seven runs, Nilakshi de Silva amassed 12 runs, and Anushka Sanjeewani and Oshadi Ranasinghe each added 18 runs to the board. In the first innings, Sri Lanka only managed to score 106 runs for New Zealand to chase.

Suzie Bates helps New Zealand seal first T20I 

Coming into the chase, Bernadine Bezuidenhout was sent packing for just four runs. However, it was the knock of Suzie Bates that helped the White Ferns register a resounding win. After taking a wicket in two overs in the first innings, Bates followed it up with a knock of 44 runs during the run chase. 

Furthermore, Amelia Kerr added another 34 runs on the board, with Georgia Plimmer scoring the winning runs, accumulating 16* runs in 18 deliveries. New Zealand chased down the target and won the game by five wickets. 

Here are the top tweets from the game:

🏆 New Zealand Tour Of Sri Lanka 2023.
📑 1st T20 International
🏟️ P.Sara Oval, Colombo.
🪙 NZ & Chose to Field First.

🇱🇰 106/9 (20 Overs)
🇳🇿 107/5 (18.5 Overs)

🏆 NZ women won by 5 wickets.
🎖️ POM - Suzie Bates 44(47) & 1/13.#TheLionPrideSL #SLWvsNZW pic.twitter.com/uPITt2AWl6

— The Lion's Army (@TheLionPrideSL) July 8, 2023

First ever SLWomen team international match & Second ever Women's int'l match
Congratulations @WHITE_FERNS for the superb victory

and I got a former first class cricketer 🇿🇦 friend at P Sara Oval who's travelling over 🌏 watching cricket match #SLWvsNZW pic.twitter.com/iPKvd12kmW

— Indoosan (@Indooshan) July 8, 2023

Amelia Kerr strikes in her first over , Underrated all-rounder.#CricketTwitter    #SLWvsNZW

— Suryanarayanan S (@ssurya1696) July 8, 2023

I thought E Carson was my differential pick with 21% selection but all my opponents have different plans!
🙄🫡🤧#slwvsnzw #nzvssl #CricketTwitter #Cricket #SLvNZ #dream11 @StatsGuruji786

— Kunal R (@Nuclya45) July 8, 2023

I'm yet to reach the stadium and Chamari is gone! 😭😭😭#SLWVsNZW #Whiteferns

— Indoosan (@Indooshan) July 8, 2023

Today’s Player of the Match, anchoring the chase with 44 from 47 balls and taking 1-13 from two overs - @SuzieWBates 🏆 #SLvNZ #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/u1xhKxIrLC

— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) July 8, 2023

We go 1-0 up in Colombo! @SuzieWBates anchoring a measured chase with 44 from 47. Catch up on all scores https://t.co/FTRRv0Iyr0 📲#SLvNZ #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/2wvfDghiZ1

— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) July 8, 2023

Not a great score, but I do believe this is a step in the right direction for 🇱🇰. The younger group are beginning to believe that THEY can compete at international level and showed glimpses of that today. There is depth beyond Atapattu. One day, it will come to the fore. #SLvNZ

— Ananya Upendran (@a_upendran11) July 8, 2023

New Zealand take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series against Sri Lanka 👏#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/5wzDazJ2Ej

— ICC (@ICC) July 8, 2023

New Zealand 🇳🇿 won by 5 wickets in the 3-match series opener against Sri Lanka and take 1-0 lead! 🏏 #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/mBnfNbBz0s

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 8, 2023