World Cup 2023: NZ Beats SL, Moves a Step Closer to Semis

New Zealand appears to be regaining its winning momentum in World Cup 2023, which was visible in their bowling form yesterday against Sri Lanka, who batted first. The Kiwis’ versatile pacer, Tim Southee, picked up opener Pathum Nissanka in his very first over, which got the ball rolling. Trent Boult soon joined in the act and picked up back-to-back wickets of skipper Kusal Mendis, Samarawickrama, and finally Asalanka, who all were dismissed on single digits.

However, Kusal Perera kept the fight going even as the middle-order batsmen kept getting dismissed at regular intervals by Santner and Lockie Ferguson. Perera scored a commendable half-century before getting caught at 51. In the end, Theekshana scored a handy 38 to push the scoreboard to a fightable 171, but the score was far from being enough to restrict New Zealand, who has several power-hitters in their World Cup 2023 squad.

Openers Devon Conway and the in-form Rachin Ravindra took their time to settle in but soon started unleashing their attack and giving their team a good start. However, they were soon dismissed in their 40s by Theekshana before skipper Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell took to the crease. After a decent partnership, Williamson was dismissed by Angelo Mathews, who also eventually dismissed Mitchell, but not before he played a rapid knock of 43 and brought New Zealand near the finish line. In the end, Glen Phillips and Tom Latham got their team through with 26.4 overs to spare. New Zealand is now on the verge of reaching the semi-finals of 2023.

Image source: AP