After falling to New Zealand in the third ODI, Sri Lanka was unable to overtake them for the eighth slot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League standings.
In the important match, Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka chose to bat first. Nevertheless, the Sri Lankan hitters once again struggled against the speed 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.
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.
In response, New Zealand’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets in the opening seven overs. Chad Bowes, Tom Blundell, Daryl Mitchell, and Tom Latham, four of their hitters, were unable to achieve the double-digit mark.
Will Young and Henry Nicholls, though, made crucial plays to help the hosts win. Young scored 86* and Nicholls 44* to help New Zealand win by six wickets.
New Zealand won the three-match ODI series 2-0 with the victory in Hamilton.
Sri Lanka’s loss prevents them from catching West Indies (88 points) for the last direct qualifying position. Sri Lanka finishes the CWCSL season with 81 points.
In order to play in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualification and try to qualify for the 2023 edition of 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.
West Indies may potentially lose out to South Africa (78 points) and Ireland in the battle for eighth place (68 points). While Ireland will face Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series in May, South Africa will play the Netherlands in a two-match ODI series beginning today.
