NZ-W vs SL-W Fantasy Team Prediction, Pitch Report, Weather and Playing XI — T20 World Cup 2026

New Zealand Women and Sri Lanka Women meet for the second time in quick succession at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Match 7 of Group 2 takes place at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Tuesday June 16 2026. The match starts at 1:30 PM local time which is 7:00 PM IST.

Both teams are coming into this match off their opening World Cup games. Sri Lanka lost their opener against England. New Zealand had a difficult result against West Indies too. This means both sides desperately need a win to keep their semi-final hopes alive. This is not a dead rubber. This is must-win for both teams.

Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in the first T20I of their bilateral series earlier this year. That result gave Sri Lanka fans real hope. But the overall head to head record and New Zealand’s class tells a very different story.

Here is everything you need to know for the NZ-W vs SL-W fantasy team prediction for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

NZ-W vs SL-W Team Form — Last 5 Matches

New Zealand Women last 5 form: W W L W L
Sri Lanka Women last 5 form: L W W W W

Sri Lanka come into this match in outstanding recent form — four wins from their last five matches. Their only loss was against England in the World Cup opener. New Zealand have won two of their last five but the losses are a concern heading into a must-win group game.

Interestingly Sri Lanka’s last four results before the England loss were all wins which shows their confidence and form are strong.

Also Read-Best Fantasy Cricket Apps for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

What Happened in Their Opening World Cup Matches

Both teams are coming into this match off difficult opening results. Neither side has points on the board yet. A loss here could effectively end their semi-final hopes.

New Zealand vs West Indies — Match 4

New Zealand lost their opening World Cup match against West Indies at The Rose Bowl — the same venue where they play today. West Indies chased down 163 to beat New Zealand by 7 wickets with 1 ball remaining. New Zealand posted 162 for 6 in 20 overs which looked competitive but West Indies knocked it off comfortably with Hayley Matthews anchoring the chase. The Rose Bowl proved to be a high-scoring ground in that match and New Zealand will know they need to bat better today.

Sri Lanka vs England — Match 1

Sri Lanka lost their World Cup opener against England at Edgbaston on June 12. England posted a strong total and Sri Lanka fell well short. Sri Lanka’s NRR sits at -4.350 after that defeat which means they need not just a win today but ideally a convincing one to improve their run rate. Chamari Athapaththu will know that a half-hearted win is not enough — Sri Lanka need to win big.

Why This Match Matters More Than Just Two Points

Both teams lost their openers. Both teams are sitting on 0 points. The loser of today’s match will be in serious trouble with only three group games remaining. The winner will have breathing room to go deep into the tournament. This is essentially a must-win for both sides and that pressure will make for a very competitive match at The Rose Bowl tonight.

NZ-W vs SL-W Head to Head Record

New Zealand dominate this head to head completely. From the last 10 T20I meetings between these sides New Zealand have won 8 and Sri Lanka have won just 2. The overall record stands at New Zealand 12 wins from 16 T20I meetings.

NZ Women won — 2nd T20I SLW vs NZW 2025 — NZ 117 for 3 in 18.3 overs vs SL 113 for 7 in 20 overs
SL Women won — 1st T20I SLW vs NZW 2025 — NZ 101 in 18.5 overs vs SL 102 for 3 in 14.1 overs
NZ Women won — 15th T20I WT20 World Cup 2024 — NZ 118 for 2 in 17.3 overs vs SL 115 for 5 in 20 overs
SL Women won — 3rd T20I NZW vs SLW 2023 — SL 143 for 0 in 14.3 overs vs NZ 140 for 9 in 20 overs
NZ Women won — another 2023 meeting

New Zealand lead 3-2 in the last 5 meetings. But Sri Lanka have beaten them twice recently including a comfortable 7-wicket win in the first T20I of their 2025 series.

Also Read-Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Venues: Full Guide to All Stadiums in England

NZ-W vs SL-W Team Comparison — Overall Stats

NZ-W in last 10 matches:
Matches Played: 10
Win percentage: 60 percent
Average Score: 159
Highest Score: 194
Lowest Score: 80

SL-W in last 10 matches:
Matches Played: 10
Win percentage: 70 percent
Average Score: 142
Highest Score: 191
Lowest Score: 87

This is a remarkable stat. Sri Lanka have actually won 70 percent of their last 10 matches compared to New Zealand’s 60 percent. Sri Lanka’s average score of 142 is lower than New Zealand’s 159 but their win rate is higher — meaning they win more matches on fewer runs. This is a sign of a team that is clinical and efficient.

NZ-W vs SL-W The Rose Bowl Southampton Pitch Report

Total Women’s T20I matches at The Rose Bowl: 13
Average 1st innings score: 179
Average 2nd innings score: 146
Highest total at venue: 248 for 6 by England vs Australia
Lowest total at venue: 79 all out by Australia vs England
Highest successful chase: 158 for 4 by England vs Australia
Win batting first: 54 percent

This is a very high scoring ground. Average first innings of 179 is one of the highest at any Women’s T20I venue in England. Teams batting first win 54 percent of the time. Unlike Old Trafford where bowling first was clearly better The Rose Bowl actually favours batting first very slightly.

From Image 6 — recent matches at The Rose Bowl:
WI Women beat NZ Women — West Indies 163 for 3 in 19.5 overs vs New Zealand 162 for 6 in 20 overs — this was Match 4 of the World Cup
Hampshire beat Sussex — HAM 173 for 6 vs SUS 144 in 17.3 overs
Hampshire beat Surrey — HAM 178 for 5 in 19.1 overs vs SUR 174 for 8

The most important data point — New Zealand scored 162 for 6 in 20 overs in their last match here against West Indies and still lost. That tells you 162 to 170 is gettable at this venue. New Zealand will need to post 175 or above if they bat first to feel safe.

Key pitch report notes:
Average first innings of 179 is high — this is a batting ground
Batting first has worked 54 percent of the time — both options are viable
The ball swings early in Southampton conditions so the first powerplay will be crucial
Toss prediction: Slightly favours batting first given the high average scores

NZ-W vs SL-W Weather Report — Southampton June 16

Venue: The Rose Bowl Southampton
Conditions: Light rain
Temperature: 15.5 degrees Celsius
Humidity: 65 percent
Rain chance: Only 10 percent

Good news for cricket fans despite it being described as light rain conditions the actual rain chance is only 10 percent. The match should go ahead without any major interruption. Temperature of 15.5 degrees is cool which will help the bowlers stay fresh throughout the match. The humidity of 65 percent combined with overcast Southampton conditions could help the swing bowlers early on.

New Zealand Women Playing XI

From Image 2 — confirmed New Zealand squad players visible:
I Gaze (WK), P Inglis, A Kerr (C), S Bates, F Devonshire, S Devine, B Halliday, G Plimmer, N Patel, J Kerr, B Illing, R Mair, M Green, I Sharp, L Tahuhu

Amelia Kerr is the captain. Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine open the batting. Isabella Gaze keeps wicket. Jess Kerr and Lauren Tahuhu lead the pace attack. Nensi Patel provides economical spin.

Expected NZ-W XI (subject to change at toss):
Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr (C), Georgia Plimmer, Isabella Gaze (WK), Fran Devonshire, Brooke Halliday, Nensi Patel, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lauren Tahuhu

Sri Lanka Women Playing XI

Sri Lanka come in with Chamari Athapaththu at the top as their captain and most destructive batter. Kavisha Dilhari and Inoka Ranaweera lead the bowling. Their batting beyond Chamari will be tested against New Zealand’s quality bowling attack.

Expected SL-W XI (subject to change at toss):
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Vishmi Gunaratne, Imesha Dulani, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (WK), Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Malki Madara

NZ-W vs SL-W Key Players to Watch

Amelia Kerr — New Zealand
The New Zealand captain and their most important player. She bats in the top order and bowls crucial leg-spin in the middle overs. In her last 10 matches she has been the standout performer for New Zealand. She is the captain pick for this match.

Chamari Athapaththu — Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s captain and their everything. If she fires in the powerplay Sri Lanka can post 170 plus at this ground. New Zealand will know they need to get her wicket early to restrict Sri Lanka.

Jess Kerr — New Zealand
The best fast bowler on display today. In overcast Southampton conditions she will swing the ball both ways. She has 13 wickets in her last 10 matches at a very good economy rate. Must pick for bowling points.

Nensi Patel — New Zealand
One of the most economical spinners in women’s cricket right now. At an average economy of around 3.83 she is a fantasy goldmine. Low ownership expected — excellent differential pick.

Sophie Devine — New Zealand
One of the most experienced openers in women’s cricket. She will look to go hard from ball one at this high scoring venue. In good form coming into this match.

Kavisha Dilhari — Sri Lanka
With both bat and ball she is Sri Lanka’s most important all-round player after Chamari. She will bowl at the death and bat in the top five. Good all-round fantasy pick.

Match Prediction

New Zealand are favourites. The head to head 8 wins from last 10 and the quality of their squad gives them the edge. Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Nensi Patel is a very strong combination for any conditions.

But Sri Lanka have won 4 of their last 5 matches and their 70 percent win rate over the last 10 games is actually higher than New Zealand’s. Chamari Athapaththu is one of the most dangerous batters in women’s cricket and this Rose Bowl pitch with an average first innings of 179 is perfect for her style of play.

The key battle is Chamari vs Jess Kerr in the powerplay. If Jess Kerr gets Chamari early Sri Lanka are in trouble. If Chamari survives and gets going Sri Lanka could post 160 or above.

Our prediction: New Zealand Women to win. But Sri Lanka will push them all the way.

Best Fantasy Team — NZ-W vs SL-W T20 World Cup 2026

Player	Team	Role
Suzie Bates	New Zealand	Batter
Sophie Devine	New Zealand	Batter
Chamari Athapaththu (C)	Sri Lanka	Batter
Imesha Dulani	Sri Lanka	Batter
Isabella Gaze	New Zealand	Wicketkeeper
Amelia Kerr (VC)	New Zealand	All-Rounder
Kavisha Dilhari	Sri Lanka	All-Rounder
Jess Kerr	New Zealand	Bowler
Nensi Patel	New Zealand	Bowler
Malki Madara	Sri Lanka	Bowler
Rosemary Mair	New Zealand	Bowler

Captain: Chamari Athapaththu
This venue averages 179 in the first innings. If Chamari gets going at The Rose Bowl the double points will be extraordinary. Highest risk highest reward captain pick.

Vice Captain: Amelia Kerr
Bat and ball contributions guaranteed. New Zealand’s most important player. She will bat top order and bowl leg-spin. Very safe vice captain pick.

Alternative Captain: Amelia Kerr
If you want a safer option go with Amelia Kerr as captain and Chamari as vice captain.

Differential Pick: Nensi Patel
Economy of 3.83 in recent matches. Very low ownership expected. If she bowls 4 overs at that kind of economy her fantasy points will be excellent.