GettyImages-1737472466

Sri Lanka open World Cup account with solid win in Lucknow

GettyImages-1737472466

Sri Lanka began the chase positively but were rocked by two quick blows from Aryan Dutt in the first Powerplay. However, they made strong progress thereafter on the back of positive knocks from Sadeera Samarawickrama (91*), Pathum Nissanka (54) and Charith Asalanka (44).

Sri Lanka overcome spirited Netherlands in Lucknow | Match Highlights | CWC23

Sri Lanka garnered their first ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 win in Lucknow.

Earlier, feisty fifties from Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek helped Netherlands to a competitive total against Sri Lanka in Lucknow. Kasun Rajitha (4/50) and Dilshan Madushanka (4/49) starred with the ball for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka open their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 account | Digital Daily: Episode 19 | CWC23

Digital Daily with former Sri Lanka all-rounder Russell Arnold and ICC Digital Insider Ridhima Pathak, who look at Sri Lanka's five-wicket victory in Lucknow.

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka ensured that Sri Lanka marched ahead towards their target without too many hiccups after the 25-over mark. Despite losing Asalanka for 44 in the 34th over, Sri Lanka were well-placed to win the game.

A solid 76-run stand between Samarawickrama and Dhananjaya de Silva helped them close in on the target. They won the game in the 49th over.

Composed Samarawickrama helps Sri Lanka open their account | POTM Highlights | CWC23

A patient 91* from Sadeera Samarawickrama guided the Sri Lanka chase in Lucknow.

Aryan Dutt's accurate bowling troubled Sri Lanka during their chase of 263. Kusal Perera fell early when he failed to gain the elevation while going for a cut, and played one straight to the short third man.

While Pathum Nissanka hit a brisk, boundary-clad knock to keep Sri Lanka in the chase, Dutt struck yet again in the final over of the Powerplay. This time he got Kusal Mendis, who fell to a mistimed sweep which went up in the air and was grasped by Paul van Meekeren at short fine leg.

Kusal Mendis - Wicket - Netherlands vs Sri Lanka

Nissanka continued in aggressive fashion and hit a brisk fifty in the 15th over. In that over, Sri Lanka took 16 runs off Bas de Leede. However, van Meekeren struck back for the Dutch in the 17th over and removed Nissanka for 54.

Asalanka arrived at No.5 to hold the innings together with a patient knock, even as Samarawickrama went for his shots.

Pathum Nissanka - Wicket - Netherlands vs Sri Lanka

In the morning, after early damage from Kasun Rajitha and Dilshan Madushanka had Netherlands reeling at 91/6, Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek put together a crucial partnership for the Dutch.

Engelbrecht hits career-best score in late-order rescue act | CWC23

Sybrand Engelbrecht stitched together a 130 run stand with Logan van Beek for the seventh wicket. He made a solid 70, which comprised of four fours and a six.

They added 130 runs for the seventh wicket, which was a Cricket World Cup record for that wicket. Both batters got to their career-best scores: Engelbrecht getting to 70, while van Beek finished on 59.

Logan van Beek's maiden ODI half-century lifts Netherlands in Lucknow | CWC23

Logan van Beek stabilized the Dutch innings with a solid fifty.

Their stand helped the Dutch overcome a tricky phase and cross the 200-run mark.

Logan van-Beek - Six - Netherlands vs Sri Lanka

Dilshan Madushanka (4/49) struck back for Sri Lanka in a brilliant final spell. He accounted for Engelbrecht and Roelof van der Merwe.

Roelof van-der-Merwe - Wicket - Netherlands vs Sri Lanka

He got good support from Rajitha, who finished with 4/50.

Engelbrecht clubs huge six to power Netherlands fightback | CWC23

Sybrand Engelbrecht goes long over midwicket for Netherlands against Sri Lanka at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023

Rajitha did the early damage with three wickets while pace partner Dilshan Madushanka later ensured Sri Lanka remained on top with two scalps of his own.

Rajitha inflicts damage with the new ball | CWC23

Kasun Rajitha was at his very best with the new ball.

The Sri Lanka spinners then came on to control the middle overs as Maheesh Theekshana claimed the key wicket of Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards (16) who had won the toss and elected to bat first.

Early pressure pays off for Sri Lanka | CWC23

Kasun Rajitha trapped Vikramjit Singh in front to secure a fast start for Sri Lanka against Netherlands at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023

The Dutch had to battle through a difficult early period as Sri Lanka quicks Rajitha and Madushanka moved the ball through the air at BRSABVE Cricket Stadium.

After several close calls Sri Lanka eventually struck when Rajitha trapped Netherlands opener Vikramjit Singh (4) in front of his stumps, then backed it up when knocking down Max O'Dowd's (16) castle at the end of the Powerplay.

Netherlands were in deeper trouble when Colin Ackermann (29) nicked a wide ball to Kusal Mendis behind the stumps off the bowling of Rajitha with the total on 54.

Max O'Dowd plays on to lose his stumps | CWC23

Netherlands opener Max O'Dowd got an inside edge and was bowled against Sri Lanka

Rajitha finished his opening spell of seven overs - the longest so far at this Cricket World Cup - with 3/27 to put Sri Lanka in command.

Madushanka returned to dismiss Bas de Leede (6) when Kusal Perera took a sharp catch in the deep, and soon had Teja Nidamanuru (9) stranded in front of his stumps.

Kusal Perera judges high ball perfectly in the deep | CWC23

Kusal Perera took a smart catch for Sri Lanka to dismiss Bas de Leede of Netherlands at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023

Sri Lanka were out to kickstart their Cricket World Cup against Netherlands after opening their campaign with three consecutive losses.

Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha and Asitha Fernando were called into the Sri Lanka XI in place of Dunith Wellalage and Lahiru Kumara, while Netherlands were unchanged from the side that stunned South Africa.

Sri Lanka to turn to spin against Netherlands | It Takes One Day: Episode 19 | CWC23

It Takes One Day: Episode 19: preview of Netherlands v Sri Lanka at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 with former pacer Pommie Mbangwa and ICC Digital Insider Ridhima Pathak

The 1996 champions surged into the tournament in India with an unbeaten run through the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier which included two convincing wins over Netherlands.

Sri Lanka's two triumphs against Netherlands at the Qualifier stretched their unblemished run in ODIs between the teams to five wins from five, although this is the first time Sri Lanka bowled first in their 50-over clashes.

But Netherlands carried all the momentum into the clash after their rousing victory over South Africa left Sri Lanka as the only winless team left at the showpiece event.

**Netherlands:**Vikramjit Singh, Max O'Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (c, wk), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren

Total cricket: Netherlands on move past 'upset' victories | CWC23

Netherlands are backing themselves to make a huge impact at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 after their rousing triumph over South Africa

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (c, wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka

Sri Lanka lean on Dutch insider in coach Anton Roux | CWC23

Sri Lanka coach Anton Roux knows all about the qualities that Netherlands possess, ahead of the two nations' meeting at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.

Netherlands vs Sri Lanka - LeagueSri LankaICC Cricket World Cup, 2023NetherlandsCricket World Cup