The ODI World Cup match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was crucial for the former, as it provided them with an opportunity to guarantee their place in the semi-finals.
On Thursday, November 9, at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, they decisively defeated the team captained by Kusal Mendis, doing full credit to the circumstances.
Speaking about the game, the Black Caps bowled out the opposition for a pitiful 171 after a ferocious display from their bowling unit. The two most effective bowlers with the ball were Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner, who combined for five wickets. The team got off to a brilliant start under Kusal Perera, but things quickly soured as wickets continued to tumble like a deck of cards.
With five wickets and 26.4 overs remaining, they managed to knock down the goal in just 23.2 overs as a reply. At the non-striker’s end, Angelo Mathews claimed a couple of wickets and was run out. With an 86-run partnership, openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra set the stage for success. With two vital points secured, the Kane Williamson-led team has now won five games in the competition. Glenn Phillips scored the game-winning runs.
Discussion Points
The Bengaluru Thunder “Boult”:
Trent Boult, the top left-arm bowler for New Zealand, was at the peak of his game after having a respectable showing thus far in the ODI World Cup 2023. With three significant wickets, including those of Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka, he completely destroyed the Sri Lankan batting order. Boult concluded with 3/37 in his ten-over session against the Lankan Lions and was named Player of the Match.
Kusal Perera is a terrific batsman.
Kusal Perera, an opener for Sri Lanka who had trouble getting a look during the competition, at last displayed his batting ability, giving the Lankans a decisive start. Nine boundaries and a few huge knocks helped the keeper-batter score 51 runs off just 28 balls. The other batters failed to capitalize on the southpaw’s early lead and failed to provide him with any help.
Who Said What?
Kane Williamson | Winning Skipper:
Really good performance. Early wickets and spin was a challenge through those middle overs. Pitch really slowed down later. The guys showed some good intent later with the chase so great performance overall. We thought there was going to be some weather later but there wasn’t any. Hard to read such things. Glad we were able to pick up wickets, people like Perera can take the game away from you.
Always great getting our 5th and 6th spinners into the game, a great effort overall. Few teams can end up on the same points, it’s about control. Hopefully we can get a couple of days off, we’ll be hanging around, not really sure what we’ll do. Hopefully if things go our way, would be great to involved in a semi. Will be looking forward to the challenge.
Kusal Mendis | Losing Skipper:
(Translated) We lost 4 wickets in first 10 overs and that’s what got us into trouble. We could have easily gotten 300 on this pitch. Madushanka bowled really well but it was tough to take wickets because we were defending a small total. Quite enjoyed captaincy, disappointed about my own performance but overall it was enjoyable. Very happy to see players putting their hands up and performing.
Trent Boult | Player of the Match:
Nice to get bit of success at the top there (new ball). Big game, must-win game for us, pleasure is getting that result, yeah a good night. It’s a challenging format, challenging part of the world to open the bowling. I feel like I’ve used my experience in some part of the game. Nice to be on a decent side of it tonight. Always the biggest challenge here (India) is to come across different conditions and conditions that change throughout the tournament. Everyone wants a piece of the host nation, they are playing phenomenal cricket. Time will tell what will happen there (playing India in the semifinal). I am sure it will be an exciting game.
India
