ICC World Cup 2023: New Zealand thrashes Sri Lanka to just about seal spot in semifinals

New Zealand moved into prime place to seize the final ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semifinal spot with a cushty five-wicket win over Sri Lanka on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium right here on Thursday.

New Zealand (10 factors) moved to sole fourth on the desk, two factors forward of Pakistan and Afghanistan. New Zealand – backed by a superior Net Run Rate – is sitting fairly on this three-team dash.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Full Highlights

The win was made attainable primarily by a substandard batting present by Sri Lanka – bundled out for 171. New Zealand completed the chase in solely 23.2 overs.

Devon Conway (45, 42b, 9×4) and Rachin Ravindra (42, 34b, 3×4, 3×6) put the Kiwis heading in the right direction with an 86-run opening partnership. Ravindra overtook Quinton de Kock to grow to be the match’s highest run-scorer.

Daryl Mitchell stored the momentum excessive with a breezy 31-ball 43. Sri Lanka, totally outplayed, ended its marketing campaign with a whimper.

It was solely rain that might have scuttled New Zealand’s hopes of sealing a knockout berth. The climate stayed form, nevertheless, to make sure a full recreation.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Full Scorecard

Earlier, the Sri Lankan batters displayed poor utility to let the staff down. Opener Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama pushed onerous at deliveries outdoors off to supply catches behind the stumps. Captain Kusal Mendis was dismissed in embarrassing vogue – skying a wild pick-up shot to third-man.

The top-order collapse left Sri Lanka at 32 for 3 in 4.4 overs. Kusal Perera took no half measures, going onerous at unfastened balls to report a 28-ball 51. Charith Asalanka was the fourth to go, trapped on the pads by a Trent Boult inswinger.

Angelo Mathews (16) and Dhananjaya de Silva (19) lunged ahead to left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. Sharp flip acquired the higher of the batters, holding Mitchell at slip .

The finish was nigh when Sri Lanka was stranded at 113 for eight in 23.3 overs. Tailenders Maheesh Theekshana (38 n.o., 91b), Dushmantha Chameera (1, 20b) and Dilshan Madushanka (19, 48b) battled onerous to stall New Zealand’s march.

The trio did a commendable job to hold round for 23.2 overs. Theekshana and Madushanka – reliant extra on grit than talent – recorded their greatest ODI scores.

The late restore job, nevertheless, couldn’t forestall a seventh Sri Lankan loss.