Rain wrecks Sri Lanka vs New Zealand after De Silva's record fifty

Sri Lanka posted 258-6 with Nilakshika de Silva smashing a 26-ball fifty, but rain washed out the chase and both sides shared a point. Betting insight: back Sri Lanka in totals and top-order runs after this display, while New Zealand remain favourites versus Pakistan despite fielding lapses — factor weather and toss risk into match-winner and over/under markets.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand abandoned after rain despite de Silva fireworks

Sri Lanka's bid for a first World Cup victory was undone by steady rain in Colombo as New Zealand were unable to start their chase, leaving a washout and one point apiece from the contest.

De Silva sets tournament pace with blistering fifty

Nilakshika de Silva produced the tournament's fastest half-century, an unbeaten 55 off 28 balls (26-ball fifty), powering Sri Lanka to their highest Women’s World Cup total of the campaign. Chamari Athapaththu contributed 53 and Vishmi Gunaratne 42, the openers putting on 101 for the first wicket. Hasini Perera added 44 as Sri Lanka finished 258-6 from 50 overs.

New Zealand bowling and fielding report

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine picked up three wickets (3-54) but her side were hampered by dropped catches, sloppy ground fielding and a missed stumping by the wicketkeeper. Bowling support came from Bree Illing (2-39) and Rosemary Mair (1-29), but the fielding lapses will be a concern ahead of tougher fixtures.

Score summary

Sri Lanka 258-6 (50 overs): Nilakshika de Silva 55* (28), Chamari Athapaththu 53 (72), Vishmi/Hasini Perera 44 (61) New Zealand: no result (match abandoned without a chase)

Standings and upcoming fixtures

Sri Lanka sit seventh with two points from four matches (two losses, two rain-offs). New Zealand are fifth with three points, having recorded one win and two defeats prior to the washout. New Zealand face Pakistan next, then tough league matches against India and England. Sri Lanka meet South Africa next, followed by clashes with Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Betting implications and market outlook

Sri Lanka's 258 demonstrates renewed batting potency — consider backing Sri Lanka in team totals or top-scorer markets in upcoming matches when conditions are favorable. New Zealand remain likely favourites against lower-ranked opposition such as Pakistan, but their recent fielding lapses could make live-market swings and in-play prop bets more volatile. Always factor forecasted weather and toss advantage into pre-match and over/under strategies.

Sri Lanka's hopes of pushing for their first win of the Women's Cricket World Cup were thwarted by the rain with New Zealand unable to begin a run chase in the abandoned game in Colombo.

Sky Sports