New Zealand face Sri Lanka in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group B at the Rose Bowl, Southampton, on Tuesday 16 June 2026, starting at 14:30 BST (UTC+1). The Rose Bowl holds 25,000; this afternoon Group B clash is a must-win for both sides as they look to establish themselves in the qualification race.

New Zealand Women have been a consistent presence at T20 World Cup semi-finals; Sri Lanka Women are regular qualifiers for the tournament, making this a clash between two sides with genuine ICC pedigree.

New Zealand Women, the White Ferns, are led by Sophie Devine, one of the most destructive opening batters in women’s T20 cricket. Amelia Kerr’s leg-spin combined with her attacking lower-order batting gives New Zealand an all-round versatility that causes problems for any opposition. The White Ferns consistently punch above their weight given New Zealand’s relatively small playing population.

Sri Lanka Women have been steadily improving in international cricket over the past decade. Their spin-heavy bowling attack, built around the slower surface conditions at home, adapts well to English pitches that also tend to offer turn as matches progress. Playing at a World Cup in England provides valuable experience for a programme that has produced strong performances against the best teams.

The Rose Bowl in Southampton, capacity 25,000, is one of England’s premier venues. Built in 2001, it has hosted Test matches and ICC events, and its South Coast location means it draws fans from across Hampshire and beyond. Afternoon starts here in mid-June provide ideal batting conditions, with a true pitch and reliable outfield.

Timezone conversions for the 14:30 BST (UTC+1) start: India (IST, UTC+5:30): 19:00. United Kingdom (BST): 14:30. Australia Eastern (AEST, UTC+10): 23:30. US East Coast (EDT, UTC-4): 09:30. Sri Lanka (SLST, UTC+5:30): 19:00.

Check Southampton time, New Zealand time, and Sri Lanka time for live timezone references.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is hosted entirely in England, featuring 12 teams across six venues from 12 June to 5 July. The top two from each group advance to semi-finals at The Oval, with the final at Lord’s Cricket Ground on 5 July.