Match 9, Geelong, October 20, 2022, 09:30 AM
162/6(20.0ov)
146/9(20.0ov)
Sri Lanka beat Netherlands by 16 runs
That's it from this game. A huge game is coming up. Namibia will take on UAE in the final game of Group A. Still, all to play for in that game. If Namibia win, they go through but if UAE win, Netherlands will edge past. So, switch the tabs and do join us for that game. Till then, cheers!
Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka says they were confident to go through but the first game against Namibia didn't go well but the players did well to win this game, especially the bowlers. Reckons the pitch was two-paced and again credits the bowlers.
Scott Edwards, the skipper of Netherlands says they bowled well earlier but the game slipped in middle and the back end. Hopes that UAE can win the game and they can go through. He is disappointed that the qualifications are not in their hands.
Kusal Mendis is the Player of the match. He says earlier the wicket was slow so he tried to bat for a long time and take on the loose ball. Adds Charith Asalanka played really well as he took the pressure of him.
...Presentation coming up...
Netherlands were really good with the ball for the first half but gave the bulk of the runs in the last 10. The results could have been different if they bowled a little bit better. In reply with the bat, no one other than Max O'Dowd had the impetus. He batted throughout the innings but kept losing his partners at the other end. Netherlands were just one good partnership away to give a tough battle but it wasn't meant to be. Now, surely the Netherlands players will glue to the screen and cheer for UAE to win their game.
A hard loss against Namibia was followed by a big win against UAE. Sri Lanka needed to win this game to go through and they have done it the hard way. It was Kusal Mendis' innings that helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total. The momentum was with them and the bowlers started brilliantly as well. They kept taking wickets at regular intervals. The pitch was sluggish and the spinners made the most of it. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana combined to take five wickets. The latter did give away 16 runs in the penultimate over which kept Netherlands hope alive but Lahiru Kumara kept his cool and took his team through.
SRI LANKA ARE THROUGH TO THE NEXT ROUND. It looked like Sri Lanka had an easy job in their hand but Max O'Dowd till the last breath kept the hopes alive. It was just too many for him to single-handedly chase it down.
In over# 20
0
0
4
1b
1
0
Lahiru Kumara 28/1(4)
19.6
.
A length ball, outside off, Max O'Dowd looks to pull but misses. SRI LANKA WIN BY 16 RUNS.
19.5
.
On a length and outside off. Max O'Dowd slashes and misses.
19.4
4
FOUR! Full and outside off. Max O'Dowd looks to go downtown but slices it over backward point for a boundary.
19.3
1b
Bye! A quick single! Short and on off. Roelof van der Merwe looks to pull but misses. The keeper has a shy at his end but misses. Roelof van der Merwe was nowhere to the other end but Lahiru Kumara fumbled to collect the ball cleanly and misses his shy at his end.
19.2
1
This is full and on middle, Max O'Dowd whacks it to deep square leg. m was always coming for the second but the second run was not available. Roelof van der Merwe has to get back in his crease and the replay shows his bat was inside the line before the keeper removes the bails.
19.1
.
Effort ball! On a length and outside off. Max O'Dowd swings hard and misses.
Lahiru Kumara to bowl the last one.
In over# 19
1
0
0
6
0
0
1wd
1wd
7nb
Maheesh Theekshana 32/2(4)
18.6
1
Max O'Dowd does get a single! He will keep the strike. This is full and outside off, it's driven to sweeper cover for one. 23 runs needed from the last over. 16 runs come off this one.
18.5
.
Very full and outside off. Max O'Dowd knocks it to cover. Max O'Dowd will look for a single now.