New Zealand player Georgia Plimmer during the 1st T20 International New Zealand White Ferns v Sri Lanka. Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz
The world champion White Ferns have been soundly beaten by Sri Lanka in the first T20I in Christchurch.
Looking far from the conquerers of 2024, the Ferns slumped to a seven-wicket defeat, after posting just 101 with the bat.
Anushka Sanjeewani would take three stumpings in an innings that never got off the ground, Emma McLeod top scoring with 44.
Losing three quick wickets at the top of the order put the Ferns firmly on the back foot, regular dismissals ensuring a shoddy and subpar total.
Georgia Plimmer was out in the second over for two to bring McLeod to the crease early.
Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday both fell cheaply, while Izzy Sharp went for a two-ball duck to have the hosts in serious strife at 57 for 4.
Just as she and Jess Kerr were looking to consolidate, Kerr was stumped to the bowling of Inoshi Priyadharshani.
Skipper Chamari Athapaththu then had Polly Inglis caught out of her crease on four, Sanjeewani with her third stumping.
As the Ferns meandered towards a hundred, they lost their eighth, Rosemary Mair holding out to Sugandika Kumari.
They would bring up the century but not much more, Eden Carson coming and going for seven, with McLeod the last to go for a fighting 44, Malki Madara mopping things up with her third scalp of the evening.
Sri Lanka cruised to 46 after six, driven by captain Chamari Athapaththu until Kerr finally broke through and sent Vishmi Gunaratne back to the sheds for seven.
They would post 50 in the eighth over, leaving them requiring just 51 from 72 balls.
However, the Ferns were up for a fight as Kerr removed Harshitha Samarawickrama while Carson forced a run out soon after to give the hosts hope.
Athapaththu brought up her half century with a six off Illing, taking 17 from the over to bring the required runs down to just 11.
She finished unbeaten on 64 as Sri Lanka waltzed home with 35 balls to spare.
Game two is on Sunday.
New Zealand player Emma McLeod is bowled during the 1st T20 International New Zealand White Ferns v Sri Lanka. Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz
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