Another commanding display with the bat. The bowlers hit their form at just the right time. New Zealand finally got their mojo back after being absent for the last two weeks. The Sri Lankan fans would rue for their batting order collapsing once again. A hot day in Bengaluru became the favourite hunting ground for the Kiwi bowlers. The Sri Lankan cricket team has been ravaged by injuries, could not enjoy a good World Cup, and did not go according to plan on Thursday.  

Team Lineups

New Zealand made just one change to their team that lost, unfortunately, because of the DLS method while defending a huge target. Ish Sodi didn’t have the best of games against Pakistan. So he dropped to the bench to accommodate the speedster Lockie Ferguson. 

Sri Lanka also brought in one player who didn’t feature in the latest defeat against Bangladesh. Pace bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne came into the team with pacer Kasun Rajitha missing out. 

New Zealand

1. Devon Conway 2. Rachin Ravindra 3. Kane Willamson (Cap.) 4. Daryl Mitchell 5. Mark Chapman 6. Glenn Phillps 7. Tom Latham (WK) 8. Mitchell Santner 9. Tim Southee 10. Lockie Ferguson 11. Trent Boult. 

Sri Lanka

1. Pathum Nissanka 2. Kusal Perera 3. Kusal Mendis (Cap.) (WK) 4. Sadeera Samarawickrama 5. Charith Asalanka 6. Angelo Mathews 7. Dhananjaya de Silva 8. Chamika Karunaratne 9. Mahesh Theekshana 10. Dushmantha Chameera 11. Dilshan Madushanka

New Zealand captain Kane Willamson won the toss and surprisingly elected to bowl first on a good Chinnaswamy surface. This ground has been known to be a batting paradise with regular high-scoring games. The last game at this ground saw New Zealand lose to Pakistan despite posting a huge score. However, there is always a chance of getting some swing out of the pitch early on.  

Fixture

This was the 101 meeting between the two proud cricketing nations. New Zealand has the upper hand in the battle, with 51 wins, compared to Sri Lanka’s 41 wins. The Black Caps did not lose any of the last seven outings. Kane Willamson has scored the most runs (685) in matches between the two teams. 

Captaincy & Tactics

Despite concerns about rain interruptions, the decision to win the toss and put Sri Lanka in to bat proved fruitful for New Zealand. Not only did it allow them to control the game and mitigate any potential disruptions, but it also facilitated a boost to their Net Run Rate (NRR), which is crucial in tournament scenarios.

Sri Lanka set a target of 171 runs, which New Zealand comfortably chased down with the contributions of Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Daryl Mitchell, all impressively scoring in their forties. Under the floodlights, the pitch turned out to be even more favourable for batting, and Ravindra and Conway forged an 86-run partnership that set the foundation for New Zealand’s successful chase. Mitchell’s quick-fire 43 off just 31 balls further solidified their position of dominance. Although all three players were eventually dismissed before the end, the result was never in doubt throughout the match.

New Zealand’s victory was a combination of disciplined bowling and a lacklustre batting performance from Sri Lanka. The bowlers shared the wickets among themselves, with Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santner, and Ravindra picking up two each. However, it was Trent Boult’s remarkable figures of 3 for 37 that set the tone for New Zealand’s success, earning him the well-deserved Player-of-the-Match award.

Batting Analysis

Despite dropping three catches, New Zealand’s dominance was so overwhelming that it did not hinder their comfortable win. The first catch dropped by Tom Latham was that of Kusal Perera without scoring, a straightforward opportunity behind the stumps. However, Latham swiftly redeemed himself by successfully taking a catch off the following delivery when Pathum Nissanka nicked the ball.

In the subsequent overs, Kusal Mendis fell victim to Boult, miscuing a shot and providing an easy catch to deep third, while Sadeera Samarawickrama edged one through to Mitchell at first slip. Boult’s exceptional performance not only secured these wickets but also propelled him beyond the milestone of 50 World Cup wickets, finishing the match with an impressive tally of 52.

While wickets tumbled at one end, Kusal Perera displayed incredible resilience and single-handedly fought back against New Zealand’s dominance. He unleashed an array of powerful strokes and punished the opposition for their earlier dropped chance. Notably, two magnificent sixes over long-on off Tim Southee stood out as highlights of his aggressive batting. Perera reached his half-century off just 22 deliveries, marking the joint second-fastest fifty by a Sri Lankan player in ODI World Cups. However, his innings came to an end when he mistimed a delivery from Ferguson, resulting in a catch at cover.

Sri Lanka found themselves in a dire situation at 70 for 5 in the tenth over when Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva offered some resistance. Dhananjaya survived a close call when Latham grassed a challenging catch off Southee’s bowling during their partnership of 34 runs. Nonetheless, Mitchell Santner’s guile, control, and subtle variations in pace proved too much for the determined pair in the end.

Mathews was the first to depart, potentially concluding his illustrious World Cup journey, as he attempted to negotiate a flighted delivery but failed to get to the pitch, resulting in an outside edge expertly taken by Mitchell at slip. Dhananjaya encountered a similar fate, as another flighted delivery with extra bounce found its way into Mitchell’s hands.

New Zealand’s victory was a testament to their overall dominance in the match. Their solid performance with both bat and ball showcased their skills and determination. At the same time, Sri Lanka faltered with the bat; New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack capitalised on the opportunities, ultimately leading them to a convincing win. As the tournament progresses, New Zealand’s impressive display in this match positions them as strong contenders for the coveted title.

Santner cleverly delivered the ball from a wide angle, accentuating the trajectory towards the right-handed batsman. The round-arm release added to the challenge as the ball floated above Mathews’ eyeline, luring him into a front-foot block he thought would be routine.

However, Mathews was deceived by his own eyes. as he committed fully to a stride that ended up being futile. The ball tantalisingly hung in the air before landing slightly shorter than expected. Mathews extended his left arm, desperately trying to control the bounce, but the ball kissed the outside edge of his bat and softly nestled in the hands of slip fielder Daryl Mitchell.

It was a masterful display by Santner, who outfoxed Mathews with the flight and guile of his delivery. While spinners employ various techniques to deceive batters, Santner’s method, in this instance, may have relied more on the pace of the ball rather than excessive spin. Clocking at 78.7kph, it was slower compared to the average speed of contemporary finger spinners, including Santner’s own mid-80s average. What sets Santner apart is his remarkable range of speeds, which spans from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, making him a truly unpredictable bowler in this World Cup. For the batter, deciphering the pace at which Santner releases the ball is a daunting task. His approach to the crease and load-up offers little clue, as his stop-start action and pause before the delivery stride minimise the hints. Every ball becomes a mystery, demanding the utmost attention from the batsman.

Santner’s exceptional performance serves as a reminder of the artistry and intricacies within spin bowling, leaving fans longing for more captivating battles and breathtaking displays in the days to come. He also produced a magical moment against Afghanistan to bowl Mohammad Nabi out.

Bowling Analysis

Chamika Karunaratne, making only his second appearance in the ongoing World Cup, faced a similar fate as his teammates, edging behind off Lockie Ferguson’s delivery. With a swift end to the innings seeming imminent, Mahesh Theekshana, in partnerships with Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka, displayed the resistance that was sorely lacking throughout the rest of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.

In a staggering statistic, Theekshana faced a total of 91 deliveries, surpassing the combined number of balls faced by Sri Lanka’s top-order batsmen. Even Dilshan Madushanka, with his 48 deliveries, faced more balls than any other Sri Lankan batter apart from Theekshana.

Theekshana, finishing unbeaten on 38 runs, emerged as the second-highest scorer of the innings. His valiant effort, along with the ninth and tenth-wicket partnerships, added a semblance of respectability to Sri Lanka’s overall performance. Despite contributing only 58 runs, these partnerships stretched over a period of 139 deliveries. While Sri Lanka lost their eighth wicket in the 24th over, it was not until the 47th over that New Zealand finally dismissed them. Rachin Ravindra’s delivery found the edge of Madushanka’s bat, leading to a sharp catch by Tom Latham behind the stumps.

New Zealand, after a bumpy ride in the tournament with four wins followed by four consecutive losses, have now all but secured their place in the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup. This hard-fought victory not only helps restore their confidence but also paves the way for their fifth consecutive appearance in the prestigious semi-final stage of the tournament. As New Zealand regains its momentum, it will be a team to watch out for in the upcoming World Cup matches.

In a potentially farewell appearance for Mitchell, Angelo Mathews dismisses the batsman with a well-taken catch, but it is Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham who steer New Zealand to a comfortable victory at the Chinnaswamy stadium. The win not only marks their triumph in the final group game but also significantly improves their Net Run Rate (NRR), soaring from 0.398 to an impressive 0.743.

Meanwhile, for Pakistan to surpass New Zealand’s NRR, they would need to defeat England by a staggering margin of around 300 runs. The equation currently stands: if England scores 150, Pakistan would have to chase down the target in a mere 3.4 overs. On the other hand, Afghanistan faces an even more daunting task, needing to secure victory by a monumental margin of 438 runs.

The race for the semi-finals intensifies as teams battle to secure their positions, and the upcoming matches promise nail-biting action and thrilling performances on the field.

Fielding Analysis

Daryl Mitchell possesses one of the safest pairs of hands in world cricket. The 33-year-old exuded calmness and authority in the slip region. He was fantastic at slip and completed three grabs. Samarawickrama, Mathews and de Sliva fell to his safe hands. Tom Latham also completed two catches with gloves on despite dropping a straightforward one of Pathum Nissanka early on. 

The Sri Lankans were also sharp in their fielding. Asalanka dived in to grab the catch of Daryl Mitchell. Dhananjaya de Silva completed two fine grabs. But the total set by the batsman was not enough as New Zealand batters quickly waltzed to the victory that all but secured their passage to the last four. 

Key Performances

Kusal Perera rolled back the years with bombastic batting that made the most of the powerplay overs. The southpaw opener made 51 runs from just 28 deliveries. But none of his teammates could capitalise on the start that was given by Perera. Mahesh Theekshana was cautious in his approach, and it took 91 balls for him to score 38 runs. Trent Boult finally got back to his usual best by swinging the ball into the batsman. He claimed three wickets for 37 runs. Rachin Ravindra bowled fantastically to grab 2 wickets for 21 runs. Mitchell Santner was parsimonious in this 10-over spell that gave away just 22 runs and claimed 2 wickets. 

The New Zealand batters showed a real sense of urgency to boost the net run rate. Devon Conway raced to 45 off 42 balls. Daryl Mitchell’s quickfire 43 runs came off 31 balls. Rachin Ravindra became the highest run-getter of the World Cup when he scored 42 from 34 balls. Angelo Mathews was the pick of Sri Lankan bowlers with the figures 2/29 in his 4-over spell.

Dushmantha Chameera and Mahesh Theekshana grabbed one wicket each. The impressive youngster Dilshan Madushanka, who was magnificent with the ball against Bangladesh, remained wicketless in this match. 

Turning Point

Despite the falling of regular wickets, Sri Lanka’s run rate remained healthy due to Kusal Perera’s aggressive batting. The 33-year-old batsman was finding boundaries with relative ease after getting a good start. He made the most of the powerplay overs, reaching his fifty in just 26 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes. Sri Lanka were 70-4 after 9.3 overs, with Kusal Perera getting 51 of those runs. 

Lockie Ferguson pitched one short, and it was outside the line of the off stump. Perera, in an attempt to thrash it, got the upper end of the bat, and it went sky-high. Mitchell Santner, at cover, settled himself under the ball calmly and completed the grab with minimum fuss. With Perara gone, Sri Lanka’s hope of posting a big score was dashed before the completion of the powerplay. 

Match Result

New Zealand won the match by 5 wickets with 26.4 overs to spare to boost their run rate. 

Player of the Match

Trent Boult won the Man of the Match award for his top-notch display of swing bowling that claimed 3 wickets for 37 runs. 

Brief Scorecard

Match Highlights

Match Wrap-Up

New Zealand all but sealed their passage to the last 4 of the World Cup with a dominant display against Sri Lanka. The Kiwis were finally able to break their streak of 4 losses to find form just at the right time. Sri Lanka finished their campaign with a new low after securing only 4 points out of a possible 18. Pakistan would have to pull off something miraculous against England on Saturday to leapfrog New Zealand into the fourth spot. Next up, it is a

dead rubber between South Africa and Afghanistan, with neither team having anything to play for.

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