Sri Lanka register first win in Cricket World Cup 2023
In a captivating display of skill and determination, Sri Lanka emerged victorious against a spirited Dutch side, winning their first points of the tournament in a challenging chase. Sadeera Samarawickrama unbeaten 91, coupled with solid contributions from Nissanka, Asalanka, and De Silva, played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s triumph on this occasion.
Dutch opener Max O’Dowd castled by Lankan paceman Kasun Rajitha
Despite winning the toss and opting to bat, the Netherlands failed to get their innings up and running, losing wickets at an alarming rate. While the pitch favored spinners, it was Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers, Kasun Rajitha and Dilshan Madushanka, who made a substantial impact by claiming four wickets each in the first innings. They capitalized on early movement and posed significant challenges for the Dutch who had outperformed the South African in their last match.
Notably, the Netherlands displayed remarkable resilience, exemplified by a record-breaking seventh-wicket partnership between Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek that consisted of 130 runs. This partnership rescued the Dutch side from a precarious situation, allowing them to post a formidable total of 262 runs, a score that might have seemed improbable when they were struggling at 91 for 6 in the 21st over.
Sri Lankan paceman Rajitha celebrates another wicket
In their pursuit of the 263-run target, Sri Lanka relied on a series of crucial partnerships. Pathum Nissanka’s steady half-century provided the confidence required for the rest of the Sri Lankan batsmen to persevere, despite early dismissals of Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis.
Samarawickrama played a pivotal role, ensuring that Sri Lanka did not crumble as they did against Australia. He joined the crease following Mendis’s dismissal and, in partnership with Pathum Nissanka, embarked on a controlled chase of the target. Nissanka secured his third consecutive half-century, but it was Samarawickrama who steadfastly partnered with both Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya De Silva to take the score from 104 to 257.
Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis motivating his side before the game
Dhananjaya fell with just a few runs needed, but by then, the game was firmly in Sri Lanka’s control. Dushan Hemantha delivered the winning runs with a four over long-on, marking the beginning of Sri Lanka’s World Cup campaign.
Sri Lanka’s unwavering determination and exemplary skills shone brightly as they secured a crucial victory and two points against the Netherlands. Their batting partnerships and potent seam attack had a significant impact on the game, lifting them in the points table and igniting their World Cup journey.
At the post match presentation the Sri Lankan skipper was more euphoric with the victory when he started off by saying ” Very happy today. We did really well in everything”. Perhaps he ought to be reminded that after getting an early stranglehold of the Dutch they failed to drive the final nail into the Dutch batting coffin. Catches were dropped, an easy run out at the bowling end fumbled and many a misfield saw plenty of runs being leaked. But the shocker was the undisciplined bowling after the 21st over that saw the Lankans give away 33 runs in extras that included a whopping total of 26 wides being bowled.
This win propelled Sri Lanka from the lower echelons of the points table, allowing them to join Afghanistan, Netherlands, Bangladesh, and England, all of whom had accrued two points after four matches. With a superior net run rate over Afghanistan, Sri Lanka now found themselves positioned above the bottom of the table.
Chief Scores:
Netherlands – 262 for 10 in 49.4 Overs (Sybrand Engelbrecht 70, Logan Van Beek 59, Colin Ackermann 29, Dilshan Madushanka 4 for 49, Kasun Rajitha 4 for 50, Maheesh Theekshana 1 for 44)
Sri Lanka – 263 for 5 in 48.2 Overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 91*, Pathum Nissanka 54, Charith Asalanka 44, Aryan Dutt 3 for 44, Paul van Meekeren 1 for 39, Colin Ackermann 1 for 39)
