McLean Park Napier Pitch Report For NZ-W vs SL-W 1st ODI

Debashis Sarangi

McLean Park, Napier [Source: @NapierinFrame/X]McLean Park, Napier [Source: @NapierinFrame/X]

On Tuesday, New Zealand Women will take on Sri Lanka Women in the first One-Day International of the upcoming three-match series. The much-anticipated clash will be played at McLean Park in Napier. 

Led by Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka Women have a robust squad that can give the White Ferns a run for their money. Meanwhile, Suzie Bates-led New Zealand Women will start as the favourites despite missing Amelia Kerr due to Women's Premier League commitments. 

Ahead of the mega clash, let's see how the surface at McLean Park in Napier will behave throughout the contest. 

McLean Park Napier ODI Records

Criterion
Data
Matches played49
Matches won batting 1st19
Matches won bowling 1st26
Average 1st innings score235
Average 2nd innings score194


McLean Park Napier Pitch Report

The surface at McLean Park in Napier might offer a hint of seam movement to the fast bowlers early on with the new ball. Although the pace and bounce of the track might be conducive to stroke-play, the spinners could get some turn, as it's late summer in New Zealand. 

The ball might come onto the bat slightly better in the evening. Given that the teams batting second have emerged victorious on 26 out of 49 occasions in ODI cricket, the toss-winner might opt to bowl first. 

Players To Watch Out At McLean Park In Napier

Chamari Athapaththu

  • Legendary Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu has been the backbone of her team in Women's ODIs. Apart from scoring brisk runs at the top order, Athapaththu can bamboozle the White Ferns with her wily spin bowling. 

Suzie Bates

  • New Zealand captain Suzie Bates is an iconic figure in Women's ODIs, having amassed 5838 runs at an average of 39.98 and a strike rate of 80.01. If she survives the first few overs, Bates can be a game-changer with the bat. 

Jess Kerr

  • New Zealand's experienced seamer Jess Kerr has enjoyed stellar success in WODIs, scalping 48 wickets in 35 innings at an average of 24.58 and a strike rate of 33.8. If she gets some movement, Kerr can be a nightmare for the Lankan batters with the new ball. 

PS: Apart from these players, the eyes will be on Harshitha Samarawickrama, Sugandika Kumari, Maddy Green, Hannah Rowe and Eden Carson.