New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Standings — New Zealand’s 61-run Super 8 win in Colombo and new zealand national cricket team vs sri lanka national cricket team standings
Co-hosts Sri Lanka were eliminated from the T20 World Cup after a 61-run Super 8 Group 2 defeat by New Zealand in Colombo, a result that leaves New Zealand still in contention for a semi-final spot while Sri Lanka depart the tournament. The match, played in Colombo, featured a late New Zealand surge and a four-wicket haul with the ball that condemned Sri Lanka to 107-8 chasing 169.
Colombo match summary: scoreline and late New Zealand surge
New Zealand finished on 168-7 in 20 overs, built in large part by Mitch Santner’s 47 off 26 balls and Cole McConchie’s unbeaten 31 off 23. The pair smashed 70 from the final four overs after New Zealand had been 98-6 after 16 overs, turning a fragile innings into a competitive 168. Earlier in the innings New Zealand had slumped from 75-2 to 84-6 in less than three overs and lost three wickets without adding a run.
Sri Lanka reply and Ravindra’s four-wicket performance
Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to field first in Colombo, were bowled out to 107-8 in 20 overs while chasing 169. Rachin Ravindra took 4-27 with the ball and also made 32 from 22 with the bat. Ravindra had both Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake stumped in the ninth over, leaving Sri Lanka 29-4 and severely denting their chase. Fast bowler Matt Henry took two wickets in the powerplay and recorded figures of 2-3 from his two overs before being afforded the rest of the night.
How the innings swung: spinners, pacemen and pivotal partnerships
For much of the first innings Sri Lanka’s bowlers looked dominant. Maheesh Theekshana took three wickets early, returning 3-9 from his first three overs, and Dushmantha Chameera impressed with his work up front; one summary noted three wickets for Theekshana and Chameera. New Zealand’s recovery was sparked by Cole McConchie before his captain Santner produced a brutal late burst. The pair put together a stand of 84 that lifted New Zealand to a total the spinners later helped to defend.
Captains’ responses and reactions from the dressing rooms
New Zealand captain Mitch Santner reflected on the innings: "There was obviously a nice little period for us with the track and with the ball. They squeezed us a lot, I think we lost three wickets on 84 which is never ideal. The longer we could take it, myself and Cole [McConchie] were thinking we would try to get to 140, which kind of set it up for the last two or three overs. I guess 160 wasn't a bad total from there. " Santner also warned about the quick turnaround against England, saying: "They are outstanding, we know that. It is a quick turnaround for us. If we play on something similar to this, it might be a bit of a slog-fest as well. "
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka offered a blunt assessment: "It's embarrassing to disappoint the home crowd, they've been very supportive. We started really well but that partnership [between Santner and McConchie] was a really good one that took the game away from us. Also, the decision to bat was a collective decision but we didn't expect the pitch to turn that much. We wanted to restrict them to 130 but, to be honest, they played really well so we must give them credit. One more game, we need to finish on a high so hopefully we can have our best game. "
What remains: Super 8s schedule and elimination consequences for Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Standings
Both sides have one Super 8s game remaining. New Zealand can seal their place in a fifth T20 World Cup semi-final with victory over England on Friday, while Sri Lanka face Pakistan in Pallekele on Saturday. Sri Lanka leave the tournament after losing to England in their opening Super 8s game and now depart following this heavy defeat by New Zealand, which ended their semi-final hopes.
