After three consecutive losses, Sri Lanka finally registered their first win in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as they beat the Netherlands by five wickets. After opting to bat first, the Dutch were left reeling at 91/6 after 21.2 overs. A brilliant century stand between Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek bailed their team out of trouble and took them to a respectable score of 262 in 49.4 overs.
Player of the Match, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sri Lanka said:
Really happy to finish the game for my team. We needed a win, we haven’t done well in the last 3 games, so I really wanted to win a game for my team and I am really happy. When I went to bat the wicket was not easy, the ball was spinning and the pacers were bowling good line and lengths, my plan was to bat deep and play maximum overs, I did my basics right and hence succeeded. I knew it would be hard in the later part because the wicket was turning and gripping, my plan for others was also to bat deep and told them we can’t chase this total in 40 overs. Today it was hard (to bat) against the spinners, the wicket was slow and the ball was gripping.
Losing Captain, Scott Edwards, Netherlands said:
We obviously didn’t start well. I thought we got ourselves to what was a pretty competitive total. Our first 30 overs – we just didn’t get it right. Leaked too many boundary balls. Didn’t field that well either. Our bowlers have been good for us throughout the tournament, but our top order and our bowlers let us down today. Don’t know if we would change too much. Just want to execute better. Had a feeling it would turn later. Aryan turns it a bit more generally than other spinners. He bowled exceptionally well. Our batting hasn’t quite clicked yet. Got a few too many starts but haven’t kicked on. Not too bothered either way (batting first or second). Not too stressed about the toss.
Winning Captain, Kusal Mendis said:
Very happy today, winning our first match of the WC. Bowlers did well in the first 10 overs. Rajitha and DIlshan bowled really well. 280 would’ve been enough on this pitch maybe. It was turning at the end. Sadeera batted really well. Pacers had only three overs left so that’s why I took him off. Sadeera and Asalanka batted really well. Lots of positive things.
