Dhananjaya and Theekshana dig deep for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka have been really examined for the primary time on the ICC Males’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023, however large performances from Dhananjaya de Silva and Maheesh Theekshana bought them out of bother towards the Netherlands.

Dhananjaya made 93, his finest ODI rating, to assist Sri Lanka get better from 96 for six to make 213.

And Theekshana then took three wickets within the house of two overs to derail the Dutch chase in a 21-run victory.

Within the different sport of the day in Harare, Eire eased to victory within the seventh place play-off semi-final, beating the USA by six wickets.

Sri Lanka pushed to the restrict by the Netherlands

The Netherlands signalled their intent from the very first ball of their conflict with Sri Lanka, with Pathum Nissanka despatched on his approach for a duck by Logan van Beek.

That was a part of a dream begin for the Dutch, who shortly had the Sri Lankans 34 for 4 as Van Beek (3/26) confirmed his talent with the ball 4 days on from his heroics with the bat towards the West Indies.

It required a sensational knock from Dhananjaya de Silva to get Sri Lanka to 213 all out, and even that didn’t seem like it might be anyplace close to sufficient.

Nonetheless, simply because the Netherlands appeared to be on monitor in reply, Maheesh Theekshana (3/31) swung the momentum with three fast wickets because the Netherlands ultimately fell 21 runs brief.

They’d began so properly. Nissanka departed after only one ball, earlier than Ryan Klein had Kusal Mendis (10) trapped in entrance within the fourth over.

Van Beek added Sadeera Samarawickrama (1) and Charith Asalanka (2), bringing Dhananjaya to the crease.

He started to rebuild with Dimuth Karunaratne, who then fell for 33, with skipper Dasun Shanaka then departing for 5, Saqib Zulfiqar (2/48) accounting for each males.

Wanindu Hasaranga offered some helpful runs, making 20 in a 35-run stand with Dhananjaya. And after he fell LBW to Bas de Leede (3/42), Theekshana joined Dhananjaya.

The duo added 77 runs, taking Sri Lanka previous 200 earlier than each getting out within the house of three deliveries.

A goal of 214 was definitely in attain for the Dutch, albeit on a tough wicket for the batters.

Their trigger was not helped by each openers falling for geese, Lahiru Kumara eradicating Vikramjit Singh and Dilshan Madushanka accounting for Max O’Dowd.

Nonetheless a 77-run partnership between Wesley Barresi (52) and De Leede (41) bought the chase again on monitor. It was ended by some sharp work within the subject by Shanaka, with Barresi wanting his floor whereas making an attempt to steal a single.

Teja Nidamanuru then grew to become the third Dutch batter to go for a duck, bowled by Hasaranga. In got here Scott Edwards and the skipper shortly settled in alongside De Leede, the pair including 36 in six overs.

Sri Lanka have been in determined want of a breakthrough and it got here from Theekshana, who snuck one by means of the defences of De Leede.

He added two extra in his subsequent over, together with the very important wicket of Van Beek, earlier than one other run-out noticed Shariz Ahmed depart for 2, leaving the Netherlands on 151 for eight.

Edwards and Ryan Klein added 25, inching nearer with the required fee not a problem, however an ideal unsuitable’un from Hasaranga was too good for Klein (5).

That left the ultimate pair with 38 to get in 17 overs and the in-form Edwards helped get them shut, however the skipper was left stranded unbeaten on 67 when Aryan Dutt was clear bowled by Shanaka.

Eire make it two in a row

Eire backed up their win over the UAE of their ultimate Group B match by seeing off the USA by six wickets in Harare within the seventh place play-off semi-final.

Craig Younger was the choose of the bowlers for Eire, as they bowled out their opponents for simply 196 having elected to subject first on the Takashinga Cricket Membership.

Steven Taylor (23) and Sushant Modani had placed on 33 for the primary wicket when Younger struck twice in as many balls, Taylor caught by Gareth Delany earlier than skipper Monank Patel was bowled first ball.

That introduced Saiteja Mukkamalla to the crease, with he and Modani including 88 runs for the third wicket earlier than Mukkamalla was run out for 55.

Andy McBrine then eliminated Gajanand Singh caught and bowled for ten, with Abhishek Paradkar caught behind off Barry McCarthy for a duck.

Lorcan Tucker added one other dismissal straight afterwards because the USA began to stumble, catching Modani for 55 off the bowling of McBrine.

Younger (3/35) returned to take Nisarg Patel and the USA have been out of the blue 155 for seven and scrambling.

Usman Rafiq offered some late impetus, with an unbeaten 28, however the wickets saved falling round him, Ali Khan the final to go because the USA have been bowled out within the forty third over.

Needing 197 to win, Eire bought off to a flying begin, Paul Stirling hitting a 45-ball 58 to put the foundations. He was pinned in entrance by Nosthush Kenjige (2/41), with opening accomplice McBrine (35) the subsequent to fall.

Skipper Andy Balbirnie (45 not out) made positive there have been no nerves nonetheless, including 38 with Harry Tector (25) and 29 with Tucker (25) to take Eire to the brink earlier than Curtis Campher joined him to see the facet dwelling with 15.4 overs to spare.

Windies search for a miracle towards Scotland

Successive defeats to Zimbabwe and the Netherlands have left the West Indies with a mountain to climb to complete within the prime two of the Tremendous Six, and their problem begins towards Scotland.

Shai Hope’s facet are already in must-win territory, however can maintain the stress on with a victory, towards a Scotland staff who have already got two factors beneath their belts.

Richie Berrington and his staff received their first three matches earlier than coming unstuck towards Sri Lanka, however might increase their World Cup qualification hopes with a win in Harare.  

Scores in short
Netherlands v Sri Lanka at Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo by ten wickets
Sri Lanka 213 all out in 47.4 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 93, Dimuth Karunaratne 33; Logan van Beek 3/26, Bas de Leede 3/42)
Netherlands 192 in 40 overs (Scott Edwards 67 not out, Wesley Barresi 52; Maheesh Theekshana 3/31, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/53)

Eire beat USA at Takashinga Cricket Membership, Harare by six wickets
USA 196 all out in 42.4 overs (Sushant Modani 55, Saiteja Mukkamalla 55; Craig Younger 3/35, Andy McBrine 2/19)
Eire 197/4 in 34.2 overs (Paul Stirling 58, Andy Balbirnie 45*; Nosthush Kenjige 2/41, Nisarg Patel 1/20)

Saturday 1 July – Fixtures
Tremendous Six
Scotland v West Indies at Harare Sports activities Membership, Harare