New Zealand [137] defeat Sri Lanka [136] by 10 wickets in the 3rd match of the ICC World Cup 2019

[MenInG]

In the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2015, the Black Caps opened their tournament with a rampant 98-run victory over Sri Lanka, and if recent form is anything to go by, a similar result could well be on the cards in Cardiff.

Overview

New Zealand v Sri Lanka
Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff
2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Match 3
Saturday, 1 June; 10.30am local, 09.30am GMT

New Zealand may have suffered at the hands of a blitzing performance against West Indies in their final warm-up match, but the marker was laid down when they faced off against India at The Oval last Saturday, as they bowled out Virat Kohli’s men for a paltry 179 before chasing down their total with six wickets to spare.

One of the biggest positives for New Zealand has been the eye-catching performances from their less-heralded players. Against India, Jimmy Neesham – who missed out on a place in New Zealand’s squad four years ago – impressed with the ball, with figures of 3/26. Against West Indies, Tom Blundell – yet to play a one-day international – hit an 89-ball 106, an innings which featured eight fours and five sixes.

For Sri Lanka, their tournament preparations have been anything but smooth. While Dimuth Karunaratne was installed as skipper after more than four years in ODI wilderness, their warm-up fixtures against South Africa and Australia resulted in two defeats.

If there have been any bright sparks for Sri Lanka of late, they came in the warm-up against South Africa, with Karunaratne and the wise old head of Angelo Matthews hitting half-centuries. Matthews arrives into this tournament having spent quite a bit of winter on the sidelines. With a career average of 42 and over a decade of international experience, his return to the line-up holds great significance for Sri Lanka.

Key players

Trent Boult (New Zealand): He was exceptional in 2015, taking 22 wickets in just nine matches and the left-armer was in fine touch during the warm-ups, collecting four-wicket hauls in both games. A top-order which tends to struggle against pace and swing presents ideal opportunity for the 29-year old to carry his form in the tournament major.

Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka): The 1996 World Cup winners are in a desperate need of motivation and there can't be a better person than the captain himself to inspire the unit. Karunaratne proved his batting abilities against the new ball when he scored a fluent 87 in the warm-up fixture against South Africa. The left-hander, who had scored his maiden test hundred against the Blackcaps in 2014, could be the glue that holds the Sri Lankan batting together.

Conditions

Teams batting first scored well in excess of 300 in the two completed warm-up matches at Cardiff. With negligible chances of rain and sunny intervals throughout the day, a full 100-over game with lots of runs can be expected on Saturday. Gentle breeze might just assist new-ball bowlers early on.

Squads

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Avishka Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Jeevan Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Thisara Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhananjaya de Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay.

https://www.cricketworldcup.com/news/en/1229691

[MenInG]

Some stats to ponder:

• New Zealand have won seven of their last eight completed ODIs against Sri Lanka
(L1), including their previous four in succession.

• Sri Lanka and New Zealand have faced each other 10 times at the Cricket World
Cup; Sri Lanka winning five of the last six encounters (L1).

• New Zealand have won their last three ODIs on the bounce (all against Bangladesh);
the last time they won more in succession was a nine-game streak across 2017 and
2018.

• New Zealand won eight games in succession from the beginning of the 2015 Cricket
World Cup before losing to Australia by a margin of 101 runs in the final.

• Sri Lanka have played four ODIs at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff but are still hunting for
their first win at the venue, having lost to New Zealand (2013), India (2013), England
(2016) and Pakistan (2017) there previously.

• Sri Lanka have won only four of their last eight Cricket World Cup fixtures, despite
having won the toss on six occasions in that period.

• Martin Guptill (New Zealand) has scored 809 runs from 17 batting innings at previous
Cricket World Cups, the second-most of any player set to take part in the 2019
edition (Chris Gayle – 944).

• After scoring just 80 runs in his first 10 ODI innings against New Zealand, Sri Lanka’s
Thisara Perera has now scored 220 runs in his last two encounters with the Black Caps,
including a career-best knock of 140 runs from just 74 balls.

• Kane Williamson (New Zealand) has scored 227 ODI runs at Sophia Gardens, the most
of any visiting player and the fourth-most of any player overall.

• Lasith Malinga needs a tally of seven wickets to become the second Sri Lankan
player in ODI history to take 50 World Cup wickets behind Muttiah Muralitharan (68)
and just the fourth player overall (Glenn McGrath – 71, Wasim Akram – 55).

[hur rizvi]

Cheering for Srilanka. Them winning opens up the WC

[Markhor]

It's a green tinged wicket.

[tahir_dj]

It seems NZ will roll over SL in this pitch.

That NZ kit with white collar look so ugly
I think this is their worst kit

[MenInG]

New Zealand win the toss and bowl first in Cardiff
Capture.JPG

[Arsalan Pro]

Green Wicket and Trent Boult with the New Ball, nightmares for Sri Lanka.

[Arsalan Pro]

Should be a one sided match in favour of New Zealand.

[Mueez]

Well atleast there is hope for Pakistan.

I hope Pakistan gets a green wicket in the next match and they decide to bowl first.

And with Amir back to his form and Shaheen most probably replacing Wahab, we may get some wickets with the new ball.

[Hawkeye]

Interesting pitch.

Still think SL batters can do a good job here - they play fearless cricket.

[Arsalan Pro]

Matt Henry strikes 2nd ball.

[Nikhil_cric]

Henry strikes.

[Arsalan Pro]

Good review by Kane Williamson!!!

[hussain.r97]

Henry troubling the Lankans, wait till Boult is on.

[adil79]

We probably wouldnt last on such pitch if it were us playing today. May be would could have scored only 50. Green pitch. Very dangerous signs for Pakistan. First we cried for ICC not favoring bowlers and now we dont know what to do. I think we should concentrate on our next world cup

[Arsalan Pro]

Sri Lanka some how needs to survive the Boult-Henry combo first up by not losing anymore wickets in the first ten.

[Dr_Bassim]

We are never happy.

Green pitch and we will complain practice against England was different.

Flat pitch and its too much batsmen friendly.

This is usually what happens, when a team is not good enough. They find excuses and solace in blaming the surroundings around them.

[systemsrocket]

No difference between the pitch and the outfield

[GLORY OF '92]

Yes SL batting is better than ours. Our best hope is Afghanistan. Otherwise....

[Asif321]

Sri Lanka batting much better than Pakistan

[Mean&Green]

Wth what a random pitch it’s like a beautiful green garden it’s ridiculous I’ve neber seen a more green pitch in my life it’s as green as the outfield

[adil79]

Well atleast there is hope for Pakistan.

I hope Pakistan gets a green wicket in the next match and they decide to bowl first.

And with Amir back to his form and Shaheen most probably replacing Wahab, we may get some wickets with the new ball.

Lol, and you expect our batsmen to score that target when they fail against short pitch stuff on flat wicket?

[Mean&Green]

Ok this pitch is literally grass yet boult ain’t swinging it like crazy shows you in England it ain’t about the pitch it’s all about the cloud cover

[Mean&Green]

Lol, and you expect our batsmen to score that target when they fail against short pitch stuff on flat wicket?

It was a one off they won’t score 105 again maybe 150

[Arsalan Pro]

Kusal Perera taking on Trent Boult.

[Markhor]

Kusal Perera attacking despite the conditions.

[GLORY OF '92]

Perera a monster

[hussain.r97]

Need to get Parera early, the rest shouldn't be too much of a threat.

[Shoaib88]

Great counterattack from Kusal Perara. Really really REALLY hope Sri Lanka wins this game, not only would it make World cup more interesting but our boys could also take some inspiration from this.

[Mueez]

Lol, and you expect our batsmen to score that target when they fail against short pitch stuff on flat wicket?

They play better on swinging tracks instead of flat tracks imho.

[adil79]

Capture111.jpg

Brilliant adaptation by NZ top bowler

[Fahdi]

Wonderful fielding by Boult.

[MenInG]

[Hawkeye]

Interesting pitch.

Still think SL batters can do a good job here - they play fearless cricket.

Loving this from SL!

They survived the early movement and can relax their hands now.

[Shoaib88]

Capture111.jpg

Brilliant adaptation by NZ top bowler

Can you explain this?

[Amirforpresident]

Capture111.jpg

Brilliant adaptation by NZ top bowler

What does this mean?? Is he getting more swing with his 2019 action?

[hur rizvi]

So far so good from Lankans

[Fahdi]

Ok this pitch is literally grass yet boult ain’t swinging it like crazy shows you in England it ain’t about the pitch it’s all about the cloud cover

A green pitch doesn't effect swing, rather it causes the ball to seam i.e. movement off the pitch.

But the look of the pitch shouldn't fool people. I have seen plenty of green looking pitches that were actually a batting paradise. Grass roles into the pitch won't do much for seam movement but will allow the ball to come onto the bat very well assisting in stroke play

[Fahdi]

Ok this pitch is literally grass yet boult ain’t swinging it like crazy shows you in England it ain’t about the pitch it’s all about the cloud cover

A green pitch doesn't effect swing, rather it causes the ball to seam i.e. movement off the pitch.

But the look of the pitch shouldn't fool people. I have seen plenty of green looking pitches that were actually a batting paradise. Grass roles into the pitch won't do much for seam movement but will allow the ball to come onto the bat very well assisting in stroke play

[hur rizvi]

Big wicket

[adil79]

Since white ball has an issue of less swing for whatever reason, Boult adapted to this action:

1- His release gets as close to the stumps as possible.
2- Bit round arm makes it swing early than late, but remember any swing is better than no swing.

[hussain.r97]

Can you explain this?

What does this mean?? Is he getting more swing with his 2019 action?

Simon Doull saying that in conditions with little swing, he bowls with a round arm action to try and make the ball more likely to swing. It swings early this way, but it's better than not swinging at all.

[Mean&Green]

Kusal Perera is amazing to watch just a mirrror Image of jaysuria only if he was consistent as well but he’s already a legend after what he did to South Africa in South Africa

[adil79]

This is also an education fact for those, who say we need green wickets for swing. Green is for seam movement.

For swing, you need:

1- new ball
2- good wrist for upright seam
3- delivered close to stumps
4- ball pitched up
5- bit overcast (for longevity, else for 3-4 overs, not required)

You can swing new ball on flattest of decks.

[hussain.r97]

Parera gone, should really attack now. Get them really cheap, build that net run rate.

[Mueez]

Is Sri Lanka going the Pakistan way?

45-3

[AFM]

Henry on a hattrick!!

[hur rizvi]

We would have been out for 60-70 on this pitch

[Chokli]

Such a pathetic ball this Kookaburra

[adil79]

Is Sri Lanka going the Pakistan way?

45-3

On green top. We wouldnt last 50 here. We lasted 105 on flat deck. Its unfair to compare sirilanka with ourselves.

[Mean&Green]

Exactly the same type of start by Sri Lanka and Pakistan early wicket than some nice looking boundaries than another wicket and than another wicket and might keep going like that

[Mean&Green]

On green top. We wouldnt last 50 here. We lasted 105 on flat deck. Its unfair to compare sirilanka with ourselves.

Not at all boult isn’t even swinging it. It’s about the cloud cover not the the pitch in England

[IAJ]

This is not fair honestly. Look at the green mamba Thea are playing on.

[adil79]

Not at all boult isn’t even swinging it. It’s about the cloud cover not the the pitch in England

We didn't lose wicket to swing against windies, and they didn't have much to offer. On green top, ball would zip more to batsmen and this creates more chance of wickets.

[Nikhil_cric]

Cricviz stats. Boult's action has gotten consistently slingier since the last World Cup but he has never swung it as much as he did during that World Cup. His average pace has gone up a bit though.

The swing that he got last World Cup is because he played in NZ where the white ball swings more than anywhere else.

[hussain.r97]

On green top. We wouldnt last 50 here. We lasted 105 on flat deck. Its unfair to compare sirilanka with ourselves.

We didn't play on a flat deck, it was a wicket with pace and bounce. Don't think we would do THAT bad here. First of all, imo yesterday was a blip on our radar, second of all, pace and bounce is a bigger problem for Pakistan than a greentop.

[Hasan123]

A couple of Sri Lanka players averaging around 28, no wonder they are in this position. Dickwella should have been selected.

[adil79]

We didn't play on a flat deck, it was a wicket with pace and bounce. Don't think we would do THAT bad here. First of all, imo yesterday was a blip on our radar, second of all, pace and bounce is a bigger problem for Pakistan than a greentop.

Many fans said same thing, like a blip on radar, or wouldnt do this bad, when we lost to afghanistan. May be a wake up call is too much to hope for from fans in this part of the world. I am not delusional. thank Allah

[Mean&Green]

Fastest bowler in the world

[AFM]

Cricket is so much better to watch when the ball does something.

I hope the rest of the pitches are similar to the first 3 games. No more 350 par pitches.

[Mean&Green]

Trent boult is the best bowler fielder in the world incredible

[Hasan123]

Seeing Sri Lanka like this is really disappointing.

[Mean&Green]

Lol big grondo and his golden arm how does he keep doing it damn it

[Mean&Green]

Seeing Sri Lanka like this is really disappointing.

Nah I actually feel good that their is someone to match us in this world atleast

[Mean&Green]

I’m really happy pakistan and this game both will end quickly now broadcasters and corrupt bcci can’t make that much money from this

[Angrez Pakistani]

Feel like in the next world cup we should only have six teams. It would be more competitive, am i right?

[Nikhil_cric]

Faf should feel better after watching Pakistan yesterday and Sarfraz and co. should watch SL lose like no tomorrow.

[WengerOut]

Looks like Asian teams are in for a bashing and a half. SL is the best team in countering swing and look at them. India will be sitting ducks

[sindhiboy]

de grandhomme is a serious bowler in england

[Mean&Green]

Amazing bowling amazing captaincy amazing fielding amazing all round team effort this is a team

[Mean&Green]

Looks like Asian teams are in for a bashing and a half. SL is the best team in countering swing and look at them. India will be sitting ducks

True i think it will be an all SENA semi final or maybe West Indies and aus England newzeland

[thelandofthebravepeople]

60/6

Will they go past pakistan 105?

What will Afghanistan makes vs Australia? 40?

[Shaddy86]

Wow, never seen a pitch so green! Especially in an ODI, but I hope they prepare a similar wicket for one of the bigger teams too, which I really highly doubt.

[Hasan123]

Perrera should play his natural game. Sri Lanka won't win by playing negatively. They need runs.

[Mean&Green]

Perera playing the short ball like hisbpakistani mates

[Green Patriot]

Come on Boult.
Wrap it up.

[jadaja]

Why is England playing on flat pitches and other teams getting green tracks where winning toss is deciding the match.

[Markhor]

Why is England playing on flat pitches and other teams getting green tracks where winning toss is deciding the match.

And you base this off a sample of three matches ?

Pakistan didn't get an 80s WACA pitch - they could've scored a decent total with some application at the crease.

[Nikhil_cric]

England didn't get a flat belter. It was slowish and got slower throughout the day. Faf bungled by batting second on that pitch. Either way, pitches are great for this World Cup.

[Ronaldo7]

I would have said that it's sad to see Sri Lankan cricket in this state but looking at our own cricket we need someone to consolidate us.