that will be that! Sri Lanka win by eight wickets and with more than five overs to spare! Back of a length outside off stump. Mendis calmly dabs it down to third man and ensures that Sri Lanka go through the Super Six stage unbeaten!
West Indies vs Sri Lanka, 29th Match, Super Six at Harare, CWC Qualifier, Jul 07 2023 - Match Result
Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets (with 34 balls remaining)
4:28pm Right. That will be that from us for today. Do join us on Sunday, though, as Sri Lanka take on the Netherlands in the final of this World Cup Qualifier. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Madushka, Sudeep, Vairavan and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Goodbye and take care!
Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka captain: (On the bowling) Today is the first time we are playing in Harare. With the new ball, we had to hit our lengths. Compared to Bulawayo, this is a flatter wicket so we needed to keep it tight to allow our spinners to come into play. (On Theekshana) He has been consistent in this tournament. I hope he can carry this form in the upcoming series as well. (On the dropped catches) We could have taken those catches. What I tell my players is to stay cool and calm. If we had taken those crucial catches, we could have kept them down by 50-60 runs. (Message for the final) Our camp is very positive and we are very confident with our performance. What we need to control is our performance. The result will take care of itself. We are looking forward to the final.
Shai Hope, West Indies captain: (On the batting performance) Not enough runs on the board. Batting first is always a challenge - bowlers get assistance with the early moisture. They bowled well and we did not get enough runs. (On Carty) Special innings. he is a quality player, glad to see he has some runs under his belt. He is capable of getting big scores and hopefully he can get more runs for us. (On the bowling) I can commend the guys for the fight they showed but again, catches let us down. You have to hope for the best (with such a score) but it did not go our way. (On how the conditions change in the first and second innings) It changes quite a bit. When you are batting second, it comes onto the bat nicely. (What he will take back from the tournament) Well, just leave this behind us. Look forward. Communication is the key. We are already at the bottom, we have to find ways to get back up.
Maheesh Theekshana, Player of the Match: (On bowling without Hasaranga) I knew I had to lead today (with Arachchige making his debut and Dushan having only played one game before). Dilshan bowled pretty well with the new ball. (Plans with the new ball) We let some runs go. I just wanted to keep it tight so that I can create pressure and then pick wickets. The wicket is very flat after the ball gets old. So, there are more chances to get wickets with the new ball.
Jess: "At the start of qualifiers, who'd have thought that WI'll finish lower than Scotland, Zimbabwe "
4:14pm An utterly one-sided contest that was set up by the Sri Lankan bowlers before the batters put in a clinical display. Nissanka, who led their charge against Zimbabwe, was the batting star again, registering his second successive ODI century. He found an able ally in Karunaratne, who notched up yet another fifty. Mendis then walked in, knocked the ball around and ensured that Sri Lanka finished off the job without any hiccups.
As for the West Indies, well, they seemed to lack intent throughout the contest. Carty's knock helped them get up to 243 but as the game progressed, it became clear that that was not well short of being par. Their bowling lacked ideas and while they were a little hamstrung personnel wise, they would not be happy with the number of catches they put down, the misfields and the general lack of penetration.
In short, this was a game that highlighted just why Sri Lanka will be playing the World Cup later this year and why the West Indies, despite being one of the more fancied sides prior to the Qualifier, will have to watch the World Cup from home.
back of a length delivery outside off stump. Mendis gets on top of the bounce and punches it past extra cover for a brace. Scores level!
SL need just three runs for victory. Surely they will wrap it up this over?
back of a length outside off. Mendis runs it down to short third man and scampers across to the other end. Would have been out had the fielder hit the stumps at the bowler's end
full delivery outside off stump. Mendis stabs it back to the bowler, who, this time, manages to field it, despite the non-striker coming in his way
full delivery just outside off. Mendis lunges forward and defends
Sri Lanka a hit away from victory now
looped up on a length way outside off stump. Samarawickrama waits in his crease and cuts it through backward point. Carty comes around from deep cover point and cuts it off, saving a run
length delivery just outside off stump. Mendis pokes it just past the bowler and collects another single
length delivery outside off stump. Samarawickrama jabs it towards short mid wicket. Chase eggs on Pooran to put in the dive at short mid wicket but all he offers is a left boot. The ball squirts past and Samarawickrama gets a single
length delivery on middle and off stump. Mendis gets a big stride in before presenting the full face of the bat
full delivery on middle and leg stump. Samarawickrama pats it down to long on
full delivery at the stumps. Samarawickrama blocks it with a straight bat
Kamalpiryani@gm: "It is quite disappointing to see once mighty WI at such a low. " -- Worst part is this result felt inevitable, especially considering how WI have been playing and how strong SL have looked this tournament...
full delivery outside off stump. Mendis comes forward and drives it down the ground
length delivery on middle and leg stump. Mendis chooses to stay back before dropping it into the on side
back of a length delivery on off stump. Samarawickrama backs away a touch and forces it past extra cover for a single
flighted nicely on a full length outside off. Samarawickrama lets the ball drop before pushing it down to long on
back of a length delivery outside off stump. Mendis hangs back and punches it down the ground
length delivery on middle and leg stump. Mendis plays it towards short mid wicket
full just outside off. Mendis lunges forward and pokes it back to the bowler
full delivery outside off stump. Samarawickrama comes forward and eases it down the ground
back of a length delivery on middle and off stump. Mendis goes back and turns it into the leg side for one
4W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
Harare Sports Club | |
Toss | Sri Lanka, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2023 |
Player Of The Match | |
Match number | ODI no. 4618 |
Hours of play (local time) | 9.00 start, First Session 9.00-12.30, Interval 12.30-13.00, Second Session 13.00-16.30 |
Match days | 7 July 2023 - day (50-over match) |
ODI debut | |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | Sri Lanka 2, West Indies 0 |