Illing, McLeod, Inglis, Sharp, Madara, and Nanayakkara make their T20I debuts

The home side Guided by skipper Suzie Bates dominated the three-Game ODI series clinching it by a 2-0 margin. The White Ferns continued to suffer Hurt setbacks as the Group of Isabella Gaze, and Hayley Jensen, with hip flexor Impairments and Bella James was Excluded due to a quadriceps Hurt. They were replaced by the wicket-keeper batter Poly Inglis, left-arm seamer Bree Illing, and all-rounder Flora Devonshire in the T20I Club for their ongoing white-ball series against the visiting Sri Lankan side Guided by the inspirational leader Chamari Athapaththu.

There were debutants galore as formats switched from ODIs to T20Is, with as many as 6 players making their maiden appearance in the T20I Structure.

New Zealand:

Bree Illing:

The 21-year-Ancient youngster Bree Illing was called up as a last-minute replacement in the White Ferns T20I Club for their ongoing white-ball series against Sri Lanka. She recently Created her international Premiere on 4th March 2025 in the Primary ODI in Napier. She has picked up four wickets in three innings with the ball in the ODIs.

She represented Auckland Hearts in the Women’s Super Smash, domestic T20 Game, and returned with 8 wickets at an average of 24.50 and an economy of 5.44 in 10 innings with the ball for her side in the Game. She was Costly on her T20I Premiere returning with Game figures (3-0-31-0) in her spell at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

Emma McLeod:

The New 18-year-Ancient all-rounder Emma McLeod was also a part of New Zealand’s Club in the 2nd edition of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia. She scored 81 runs at a strike rate of 98.78 and an average of 16.20 in five innings with the bat for her side in the Game.

McLeod Created a notable impact representing Central Hinds in the 2024-2025 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield. She emerged as the second-highest Streak-Shooter for her Club, accumulating 300 runs across eight innings with a commendable average of 42.85. Her standout Executions included two half-centuries, with a highlight being an unbeaten 68 off 99 balls on December 15, 2024, against the Canterbury Magicians.

She Created her international Premiere for the White Ferns on 4th March 2025 in the 1st ODI of the ongoing bilateral white-ball series against Sri Lanka. She scored 10 runs in a Duo of innings in the ODI series. She also went on to make her T20I Premiere today at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch in the 1st T20I against Sri Lanka. She chipped in with a vital contribution, scoring 44 (46 balls) and was the top Streak-Shooter of the home side with the bat.

Izzy Pointed:

Another 20-year-Ancient top-order batter and a wicket-keeper batter, Izzy Pointed represented Canterbury Magicians in the Women’s Super Smash, scoring 121 runs at a strike rate of 105.21 and an average of 13.44 in nine innings with the bat, which included a half-century to her name in the Game. She was a part of the New Zealand ODI Club for the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. She finally went on to make her international Premiere today in the Primary T20I against the Chamari Athapaththu-Guided side at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch. She didn’t have a memorable Premiere as she was dismissed for a two-ball duck.

Polly Inglis:

The 28-year-Ancient is an accomplished wicket-keeper batter at the domestic level, representing Otago Sparks. She showcased her Talent in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield for the 2024-2025 season. She amassed an impressive 340 runs across nine innings, maintaining a Extraordinary average of 42.50. Her notable achievements include two half-centuries, with her standout performance coming on February 22, 2025, against Central Hinds, where she hit 97 runs off Only 89 balls.

In the Super Smash Game, Inglis continued to impress, scoring 172 runs in 11 innings at an average of 28.66, contributing significantly to her side’s campaign. She recently Created her international Premiere for the White Ferns in an ODI on 4th March 2025 against Sri Lanka in the 1st game of the ODI series in Napier. She wasn’t even a part of the T20I Club but was called in as a Overdue replacement to join the set-up. She also went on to make her T20I Premiere today at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch, against Sri Lanka. The wicket-keeper batter couldn’t capitalise with the bat in hand, but was impressive with the gloves in hand, behind the stumps.

Sri Lanka:

Malki Madara:

The New 24-year-Ancient medium pacer Malki Madara represented Sri Lanka Cricket President XI long ago. The youngster was handed her Premiere cap and she wasted no time in leaving her mark on her Premiere in the Primary T20I at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch against New Zealand. She delivered an impactful spell, returning with impressive Game figures of 3.5-0-14-3, accounting for the wickets of the Resistance skipper Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, and Emma McLeod on Premiere. She was also awarded the Player of the Game for her Game-Victorious spell with the ball for her side, capping off a memorable day at the office for the youngster.

Manudi Nanayakkara:

The 17-year-Ancient youngster, Manudi Nanayakkara is one of the most exciting, upcoming prospects in Sri Lankan cricket. Sri Lankan Under-19 skipper Manudi Nanayakkara showed promising form in the Stretching Contests, scoring 34 runs off 37 balls and 58 runs off 59 balls. In the 2nd ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025 Maintained in Malaysia, she effectively Guided the New Club. During the Game, Manudi contributed 72 runs across four innings, averaging 18. She also Created a significant impact with her bowling, Seizing three wickets with an impressive average of 9.33 and an economy of 5.60 across three innings.

She went on to make her international Premiere for the senior Sri Lankan side in the 1st ODI on 4th March 2025 against New Zealand, in Napier. However, things haven’t gone Manudi’s way as she would have liked as she has returned with scores of 1, and 0 in a Duo of innings in the middle order with the bat at the international level so Distant. She also Created her T20I Premiere in the 1st T20I at Christchurch against New Zealand, but didn’t get an opportunity to showcase her skills in the shorter Structure for her side.

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