ODI World Cup 2023: Netherlands vs Sri Lanka, Match 19 - Who Said What?

After three consecutive losses, Sri Lanka finally registered their first win in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as they beat the Netherlands by five wickets. After opting to bat first, the Dutch were left reeling at 91/6 after 21.2 overs. A brilliant century stand between Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek bailed their team out of trouble and took them to a respectable score of 262 in 49.4 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka lost their opener Kusal Perera early in the innings but Pathum Nissanka (54 off 52) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (91* off 107) played brilliant innings to guide their team home. Courtesy of their innings, Sri Lanka chased down the target of 263 in 48.2 overs.

Also Check: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

Here are the talking points from the match:

1. Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek rescue Netherlands’ innings

After opting to bat first, the Dutch were left reeling at 91/6 after 21.2 overs. Seeing their team in trouble, Engelbrecht (70 off 82) and Logan van Beek (59 off 75) got involved in a massive 130-run stand for the seventh wicket off 143 balls to help their team cross the 220-run mark.

2. Dilshan Madushanka and Kasun Rajitha star with the ball for Sri Lanka

After Netherlands captain Scott Edwards won the toss and elected to bat first, Kasun Rajitha made them regret their decision immediately as he picked the first three wickets to leave them reeling at 54/3. Dilshan Madushanka also got in the act as the duo scalped the first five of six wickets of Netherlands with just 91 runs on the board. Rajitha finished with figures of 4/50 in nine overs while Madushanka picked up 4/49 in 9.4 overs.

3. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Pathum Nissanka guide Sri Lanka home

After losing his opening partner early, Pathum Nissanka held one end and scored a brilliant fifty scoring 54 off 52 balls. Following his dismissal, Samarawickrama took his team home with his brilliant innings of 91* off 107 balls and helped Sri Lanka chase down the target of 263 in 48.2 overs.

Also Check: ODI World Cup 2023 Points Table

Player of the Match, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sri Lanka said:

Really happy to finish the game for my team. We needed a win, we haven't done well in the last 3 games, so I really wanted to win a game for my team and I am really happy. When I went to bat the wicket was not easy, the ball was spinning and the pacers were bowling good line and lengths, my plan was to bat deep and play maximum overs, I did my basics right and hence succeeded. I knew it would be hard in the later part because the wicket was turning and gripping, my plan for others was also to bat deep and told them we can't chase this total in 40 overs. Today it was hard (to bat) against the spinners, the wicket was slow and the ball was gripping.

Losing Captain, Scott Edwards, Netherlands said:

We obviously didn't start well. I thought we got ourselves to what was a pretty competitive total. Our first 30 overs - we just didn't get it right. Leaked too many boundary balls. Didn't field that well either. Our bowlers have been good for us throughout the tournament, but our top order and our bowlers let us down today. Don't know if we would change too much. Just want to execute better. Had a feeling it would turn later. Aryan turns it a bit more generally than other spinners. He bowled exceptionally well. Our batting hasn't quite clicked yet. Got a few too many starts but haven't kicked on. Not too bothered either way (batting first or second). Not too stressed about the toss.

Winning Captain, Kusal Mendis said:

Very happy today, winning our first match of the WC. Bowlers did well in the first 10 overs. Rajitha and DIlshan bowled really well. 280 would've been enough on this pitch maybe. It was turning at the end. Sadeera batted really well. Pacers had only three overs left so that's why I took him off. Sadeera and Asalanka batted really well. Lots of positive things.