ODI World Cup: Advantage New Zealand in SF race as Kiwis end 4-match losing streak with 5-wicket win vs SL
ODI World Cup: Advantage New Zealand in SF race as Kiwis end 4-match losing streak with 5-wicket win vs SL
It will be advantage New Zealand in the race for the semifinal spot in the ODI World Cup after the Kiwis registered a big five-wicket win against Sri Lanka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the south Indian city of Bengaluru. With the last remaining semifinal spot at stake, New Zealand registered the win with 26.4overs to spare and in the process boosted their Net Run Rate (NRR). The win also meansPakistan and Afghanistan now need to win by a big margin to book a semifinal berth.
New Zealand have final say
Having been on a losing streak of four matches, the Blackcaps needed to win at any cost to stand a chance of reaching a record-equaling ninth semifinal. Trent Boult was the architect-in-chief of the win as he helped his side reduce Sri Lanka to 171 runs, having been bowled out in 46.4 overs. Boult ended with figures of 37/3 while there were two wickets each for Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra.
Kusal Mendis was the top scorer for Lanka, 51 runs off 28 deliveries,the fastest fifty of the tournament.
Maheesh Theekshana scored 38 to show little resilience but ultimately was undone as wickets kept on falling at the other end.
In response, New Zealand openers Devon Conway (45) and Rachin Ravindra (42) laid the foundation for the win as they stitched 86 runs for the opening wicket. Skipper Kane Williamson (14), Mark Champman (7) and Daryl Mitchell (43)then helped their side get over the line as the Kiwis won by five wickets and26.4overs to spare.
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New Zealand in pole position
As a result of the win, New Zealand ended the league campaign with 10 points in nine matches with a positive NRR.
This means Pakistan and Afghanistan, both with a game in hand, have to win by a big margin or will face elimination before the semifinal stage at the ODI World Cup.
Pakistan will be in action on Saturday when they take on England at the Eden Gardens while Afghanistan take on South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.
The defeat also sees Sri Lanka's hopes of finishing in the top seven take massive dent and will need a helping hand from other teams.
