World Cup record partnership insufficient for win over Sri Lanka
Published at 21 October, 2023After the great win over South Africa, the Netherlands did not manage to surprise a second time. The Orange made 262 runs in fine fashion and fought to the last gasp: Sri Lanka only came to 263/5 in the penultimate over.
At the stadium in Lucknow, the Netherlands opted for batting; not surprising given the number of unsuccessful runchases in this World Cup and the fact that the pitch would likely offer more spin in the second innings.
After three defeats, Sri Lanka was keen on a win, and it started the match strongly. Kasun Rajitha raced through the top order, including Colin Ackermann (29), who was unable to convert an excellent start into a big score. Dilshan Madushanka took care of the middle order.
Hasaranga - a proverbial ‘pest’ in previous meetings between the two countries - may be missing, but Sri Lanka have plenty of great spinners in De Silva, Hemantha and Theekshana. Theekshana bowled Scott Edwards (16) with a beauty. It was 91/6.
Recovery came from Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek. It was crucial to complete the fifty overs on the tricky looking pitch. The men did so convincingly. Engelbrecht gritty and concentrated, Van Beek with his characteristic fighting spirit.
Sri Lanka chose not to push through with their front-line bowlers, but to keep the scoring rate low with their spinners. Orange benefited; via a 130 partnership for the seventh wicket, with both batsmen recording first World Cup half centuries. Just like against South Africa, the Netherlands had come back into the game out of nowhere. 262 was the final result, with 59 for Van Beek (who was brilliantly caught by Asalanka) and 70 for Engelbrecht. Madashanka 4-49, Rajitha 4-50.
Sri Lanka innings
"What a World Cup Aryan Dutt's having!", according to the commentary. The reason: Kusal Perera was dismissed in the fifth over, followed by Kusal Mendis who lobbed a top edge to Van Meekeren (52/2). A tough missed stumping chance could even have changed the odds.
Nissanka (54) batted flawlessly until Van Meekeren - helped by a fine catch by keeper Edwards - made a breakthrough. Still, Sri Lanka walked seemingly effortlessly to 139/3/25. The Netherlands needed more wickets. Two mediocre reviews indicated how desperate the Dutch were, and Asalanka answered with the biggest six of the day. In turn, Dutt bowled Asalanka (44) in his final over.
Samarawickrama had meanwhile gone to a 'classy' 50 almost unnoticed and would not hand over the initiative anymore. He remained unbeaten on 91 while Sri Lanka took the win after 48.2 overs. Pick of the bowlers was Aryan Dutt with 3-44/10.
