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New Zealand are taking on Sri Lanka in Match 41 of the ODI World Cup 2023 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The clash holds significant importance for the BlackCaps as the result of this cricketing affair will play a pivotal role in determining their semi-final spot. On the other side, the Lankans are already eliminated from the ongoing tournament and are eyeing their place in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
Sri Lanka’s batting collapse
Sri Lanka faced a challenging situation after being asked to bat first. The top order crumbled, with in-form Pathum Nissanka falling early and Black Caps pacer Trent Boult showcasing his class by dismissing skipper Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Kusal Perera, however, capitalized on a dropped chance and played a blistering innings, reaching his fifty in just 22 balls, the second-fastest in Sri Lanka’s World Cup history. Despite Perera’s efforts, wickets continued to tumble, but Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva provided a semblance of recovery. Mitchell Santner, though, broke their partnership by dismissing Mathews and Lockie Ferguson outsmarted Karunaratne.
Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka resisted with the highest 10th wicket partnership for the Islanders in ODI World Cups (43 runs), but Madushanka’s dismissal left Theekshana unbeaten on 38 as Sri Lanka finished at 171 in 46.4 overs.
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Mitchell Santner’s mind-boggling delivery to dismiss Angelo Mathews
In a moment of cricketing intrigue during the 17th over, Santner bowled a masterful delivery, a well-executed good-length slower pitching outside off. While attempting to defend, Mathews found himself deceived as the ball turned and bounced unexpectedly. The result was a deflection off the right-handed batter’s gloves, leading the ball to gracefully find its way to slips, where Daryl Mitchell secured a comfortable catch.
