New Zealand downed Sri Lanka ruthlessly in their tournament opener at Cardiff on Saturday. Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka lost their way courtesy of some inspiring swing bowling from Kiwi bowlers.
Once they got into their rhythm, New Zealand bowlers were top of their game. On the other hand, Sri Lankan batsmen lacked the application and bundled out for a mere 136 runs. The scenario was similar to the Pakistan’s innings yesterday but captain Karunaratne was the lone warrior.
He carried his bat through the innings with an unbeaten 52. With that, he became only the second player ever to carry his bat in a World Cup match. Eight players were dismissed on single digit and there was literally little support to Karunaratne through the innings.
New Zealand pacers have all entertained with their bowling. But Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson are the pick of their bowlers as the duo picked three wickets each. Asked to chase a mere 137, New Zealand openers made sure that they completed the chase in an emphatic style.
The Kiwi openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro ensured that they kept their cool. They chased down the target in just 16.1 overs and handed New Zealand a grand 10 wicket win on the day.
Loss of Form Ahead of World Cup
Sri Lanka will have plenty of thinking to do. They were uninspirational with their batting approach and had failed miserably with the ball as well. Although, they managed some good wins in the recent months, they have lost their form heading into World Cup. Their game against New Zealand will now raise some serious questions from fans and experts in their island nation.
Both the New Zealand openers managed to score half centuries. But it is their bowlers who ensured that they won the game. Considering their ruthless performance, it is safe to say that New Zealand are one of the major surprise packages in this edition.
Here is how Twitter Reacted to New Zealand’s win
Pakistan and Sri Lanka still playing in IPL mode ? Guys, please move on!#CWC19 #NZvSL #WorldCup2019 #PKvsWI
— Jaynam Shah (@jaynamshah) June 1, 2019
Sri Lanka or Pakistan bhai bhai hain
— alishba (@alishhbaahmed) June 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/CWC19_WC2019/status/1134822438796181505
at least we managed to pass Pakistan's score yesterday. see the positives guys ??#CWC19 #NZvSL
— Inshaf (@InshafImam) June 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/Swez_S/status/1134783274385936385
Sri Lanka will be, should be, very disappointed with this display. So who is going to lift them from here?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 1, 2019
At least Sri Lanka managed to find a place, NOT in the bottom at the points table #CWC19 ?? pic.twitter.com/POLf2QiUta
— Chéthaka Uduwarage (@chethaka) June 1, 2019
Srilanka's Last 10 Odis ?
Lost*
Won vs Scotland
Lost
Lost
Lost
Lost
Lost
Lost
Lost
Lost#NZvsSL— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) June 1, 2019
Extraordinary bonhomie by Sri Lankan Cricketers to minimise trolling of fellow Asian brothers, Pakistan, by playing as bad as the latter n embracing a bigger thrashing at the hands of NZ#NZvSL#NZvsSL#CWC19
— Ambika (@apmahapatra) June 1, 2019
Ferguson is a gun bowler with proper wheels. Could be a key asset to this New Zealand line up to compliment the skill sets of their other seamers #CWC19
— Adam Morgan (@Adam_Morgs) June 1, 2019
Looks like it will be a fight between Bangladesh and Afghanistan for the second best team from Asia in #CWC19 #NZvSL
Very very poor application shown by Pakistan yesterday and srilanka today. No Devils in the pitch!— Reacher (@RaOne31) June 1, 2019
Karunaratne playing a test cricket there to save his team from disaster ?#CWC19 #NZvsSL
— Rishita. (@ImRish45) June 1, 2019