WC 2023: Sri Lanka Triumphs Over Netherlands in ICC ODI World Cup Clash
Varad Bhatkhande
Lucknow, 21st October 2023: In the 19th ODI of the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, the Netherlands and Sri Lanka faced off today at the Ekana Sports City in Lucknow. As the first match of the day, it commenced at 10:30 a.m. with the Netherlands winning the toss and opting to bat first.
The match saw the Dutch side struggling, with the top and middle order, including captain Scott Edwards, failing to make a substantial impact. However, in the lower middle order, Sybrand Engelbrecht played a crucial innings, scoring 70 runs off 82 balls before being bowled out by Dilshan Madushanka. Logan van Beek contributed 59 runs off 75 balls before being caught by Charith Asalanka on a delivery from Kasun Rajitha. Thanks to the efforts of these two players, the Netherlands managed to post a respectable total of 262 runs before being all out in the 50th over.
From the Sri Lankan bowling department, Dilshan Madushanka and Kasun Rajitha starred with both claiming four wickets each, while Maheesh Theekshana secured one wicket.
Chasing a target of 263 runs, Sri Lanka saw their opener, Pathum Nisanka, contribute 54 runs off 52 balls before being caught by Scott Edwards on Paul van Meekeren’s delivery. However, Captain Kusal Mendis couldn’t leave a significant impact. Sadeera Samarawickrama emerged as the hero for Sri Lanka, scoring an unbeaten 91 runs off 107 balls. Charith Asalanka made 44 runs off 66 balls before being bowled out by Aryan Dutt. Dhananjaya de Silva’s contribution helped Sri Lanka secure a victory, winning the match by 5 wickets with 10 balls to spare.
In the Netherlands’ bowling attack, Aryan Dutt shone with three wickets in his 10 overs, giving away 44 runs. Paul van Meekeren and Colin Ackerman claimed one wicket each.
As the match concluded, spectators eagerly await the results of the South Africa versus England fixture taking place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the second game of the day in the 2023 ICC ODI Cricket World Cup.
