Sri Lanka prepare for New Zealand challenge with unchanged T20I squad
Sri Lanka have named a strong 16-member squad led by Charith Asalanka for a six-match white-ball series involving three T20Is followed by three ODIs, against New Zealand.
New Zealand scored 241 for the loss of 8 wickets in their stipulated quota of 50 overs in the final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at Lord’s, London on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and chose to bat first.
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New Zealand started their innings defensively. Opener Martin Guptill departed on an individual score of 19 with New Zealand’s score reading 29. After this, Williamson along with Henry Nicholls stitched a 74-run partnership for the second wicket. Things were going smoothly for New Zealand but a ripper from Liam Plunkett sent the in-form batsman Williamson back to the pavilion after the latter’s handy knock of 30.
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After Williamson’s departure, New Zealand failed to recover their composure, courtesy, an exhibition of some brutal pace attack in the middle overs from the Englishmen.
On 118, New Zealand lost their well-set batsman Nicholls after the latter’s half-century (55). Soon, Ross Taylor (15) became the victim of an umpiring howler when New Zealand were 141. Taylor was adjudged LBW in the 27th over bowled by Mark Wood. TV replays showed that Taylor was not out but NZ did not have any reviews left.
In a bid to boost the run-rate, James Neesham (19) tried to take on Plunkett but his hit landed into the hands of Joe Root.
After Neesham, wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham (47) and Colin de Grandhomme (16) added 46 runs for the sixth wicket and took the Kiwis to a fighting total.
Scorecard: New Zealand 241 for 8 in 50 overs (Henry Nicholls 55, Tom Latham 47, Liam Plunkett 3/42, Chris Woakes 3/37)
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