After losing to New Zealand in the third ODI at Hamilton, Sri Lanka was unable to overtake the eighth rank in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League standings. Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, decided to bat first in the vital match straight at the toss.
Nevertheless, the Sri Lankan hitters struggled once more against the pace and bounce of the New Zealand bowlers and were unable to produce. Although Sri Lanka struggled to get 150 runs, Matt Henry (3/14), Henry Shipley (3/32), and Daryl Mitchell (3/32) all displayed excellent ball control.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup
The only hitters for Sri Lanka to provide any resistance were Pathum Nissanka (57 off 64), Dasun Shanaka (31 off 36), and Chamika Karunaratne (24 off 42). The visitors were dismissed for 157 runs in 41.3 overs, leaving it to their bowlers to carry their team to victory.
New Zealand’s chase in response got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets in the opening seven overs. Chad Bowes, Tom Blundell, Daryl Mitchell, and Tom Latham were the four hitters who failed to reach the double-digit mark.
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Nevertheless, Will Young and Henry Nicholls made crucial plays to help the hosts win. Young scored 86* and Nicholls added 44* to form a partnership of 100 runs that gave New Zealand a six-wicket victory. New Zealand won the three-match ODI series 2-0 with the victory in Hamilton.
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Sri Lanka’s loss prevents them from catching West Indies (88 points) for the final direct qualifying position. Sri Lanka finishes their CWCSL season with 81 points. To play in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualification and try to earn a spot in the event later this year, Sri Lanka will now go to Zimbabwe in June.
With 175 points in their season, New Zealand finishes first in the CWCSL rankings.
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West Indies may potentially lose out to South Africa (78 points) and Ireland in the battle for eighth place (68 points). Ireland will play Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series in May, while South Africa will play the Netherlands in a two-match ODI series beginning today.