Sri Lanka’s slim hopes of gaining an automatic qualification for the ICC World Cup 2023 has taken yet another huge blow after they suffered a crushing 198-run loss to New Zealand in the first of the three-match ODI series.
In a one-sided contest, the hosts thoroughly outplayed the beleaguered visitors to register their biggest ODI win over them in terms of runs. Asked to bat first, New Zealand scored a challenging total of 274 runs. Opener Finn Allen’s 51-run knock set the foundation for the total.
Most of the New Zealand batsmen got the starts but could not convert them. Daryl Mitchell (47), Glenn Phillips (39) and Rachin Ravindra (49) also played crucial knocks to ensure that New Zealand manage to post a 250-plus total. For Sri Lanka, Chamika Karunaratne was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 43 runs.
274 runs turned out to be more than enough as New Zealand bowlers made light work of Sri Lanka. Henry Shipley starred with the ball as he blew away Sri Lanka’s top-order, finishing the game with impressive spell of 5 for 31.
Daryl Mitchell and Blair Tickner picked up 2 wickets apiece as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 76. This was their heaviest loss against New Zealand by the margin of runs (in this format), and fifth-heaviest defeat overall. Angelo Mathews’ 18 runs was the highest score from the visitors during the disastrous display.
Sri Lanka’s World Cup hopes hanging by thread:
Following the loss in the first ODI, Sri Lanka’s quest for a direct qualification to the World Cup has taken a big blow. As of now, they are placed at the 10th spot in the World Cup Super League standings with only two more games remaining.
With only top eight teams allowed to qualify directly to the World Cup, Sri Lanka’s hopes look as good as over. Their fate is no more in their hands. Even if they go on to win the remaining two ODIs of the series, they will have to depend on other results for a direct qualification. In case, they fail to gain an automatic qualification, they will have to play the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe in July.
Meanwhile, the win has helped New Zealand move to the top of the World Cup Super League standings. They have 160 points from 22 games.
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