A 15-strong New Zealand A women's squad comprising a host of emerging talent will head to Sri Lanka this week for three one-day matches and three T20s in Dambulla.

The Northern Brave have fallen agonisingly short of pulling off a spectacular run chase against the Wellington Blaze in their T20 Super Smash at the Basin Reserve

Injuries have ruled out White Ferns Lauren Down (back), Rosemary Mair (side) and Hannah Rowe (side) from the North v South T20 tournament in Nelson.

Bonus-point victories put the Otago Sparks top of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield after the opening weekend.