Kiwis keep semis hope alive defeating Lanka by 5 wickets
Sports Reporter :
New Zealand kept their semi-finals hope alive in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets in their ninth match at Bengaluru in India on Thursday.
The Kiwis gained 10 points from nine matches, while Sri Lanka remained with four points from as many matches.
Chasing Sri Lanka’s fragile total of 171 off 46.4 overs, the Kiwis coasted home making 172 for the loss of five wickets when they had 160 balls to spare.
New Zealand made a solid start with two openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra put on together 86 runs before Conway was dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera.
Conway hit a polished 45. His 42-ball innings was belted with nine fours.
After Conway’s dismissal, Ravindra could not stay at the crease for a long period. He was dismissed by
Maheesh Theekshana when New Zealand’s score was 88 for the loss of two wickets.
Ravindra struck a sparkle 42. His 34-ball knock was decorated with three sixes and three fours.
One-down Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell repaired the damage contributing together 42 runs for the third wicket partnership before Williamson (14) was bowled out by Angelo Mathews when the Black Caps’ total was 130 for the loss of three wickets.
Third-down Mark Chapman (7) was run out by a joint-effort of Samarawickrama and Angelo Mathews when the Kiwis’ score was 145 for the loss of four wickets. Daryl Mitchell was dismissed by Angelo Mathews. Daryl Mitchell struck a superb 43. He hit five fours and two sixes.
Angelo Mathews bagged two wickets in the space of 29 runs, while Chameera and Theekshana took one wicket for 20 and 43 runs respectively.
Earlier, Most of the batters of Sri Lanka failed to resists controlled, tight and superb bowling attack of New Zealand bowlers.
Pacer Trent Boult captured three wickets in the space of 37 runs. Trent Boult was adjudged the Man of the Match. Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson claimed two wickets each giving 21, 22, 35 runs respectively. Besides, Tim Southee took one wicket conceding 52 runs.
Opener Kusal Perera hammered a stormy 51. His 28-ball innings was laced with nine fours and two sixes.
Number-9 batter Maheesh Theekshana remained unbeaten with 38 runs. His 91-ball knock had three fours.
