New Zealand crush Sri Lanka to enter semifinal race

Rachin Ravindra’s superb all-round performance helped New Zealand register a convincing win over Sri Lanka in the Super Eights clash, knocking the co-hosts out of the T20 World Cup and keeping the Kiwis firmly in contention for a semifinal berth

Colombo: Co-hosts Sri Lanka were on Wednesday knocked out of the T20 World Cup as Rachin Ravindra grabbed a career-best 4/27 in a splendid all-round display to power New Zealand to a comprehensive 61-run victory in their Super Eights clash here.

Cole McConchie justified his selection with a composed unbeaten 31 off 23 balls (3×4, 2×6), while skipper Mitchell Santner came into his own with a 26-ball 47 (2×4, 4×6) as the duo stitched a match-defining 84-run seventh-wicket stand off 47 balls to lift New Zealand to 168/7 after Sri Lanka opted to bowl.

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After allowing the Kiwis to score 70 runs in the last four overs, Sri Lanka, who had collapsed for 95 against England in their Super Eights opener, suffered another batting collapse.

Chasing 169, Sri Lanka could only manage 107/8, with Ravindra, who also made 32 with the bat, leading the spin attack after pacer Matt Henry rocked the islanders in the powerplay with figures of 2-1-3-2.

The emphatic victory not only sealed two crucial points for New Zealand but also put them on the brink of a semifinal berth. Pakistan will now need a big win in their final game against Sri Lanka to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

New Zealand next face England in their concluding Super Eights fixture here on Friday, while Pakistan take on the already eliminated Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Saturday.

Defending 168, New Zealand tightened the screws in the powerplay through Henry. The pacer struck with the first ball of the opening over, dismissing in-form Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck with a 137 kph delivery that pitched on a length outside off, jagged back in, and crashed into the stumps.

In the first ball of his next over, Henry removed Charith Asalanka (5). He took the pace off and induced a mistimed shot, resulting in a simple catch.

Sri Lanka looked shaken and slipped to 20 for two in the powerplay with several dot balls.

Ravindra then took control. In his first over, he dismissed Kusal Mendis by pulling his length back and spinning the ball away as the batter stepped out, leaving the wicketkeeper to complete a sharp stumping.

Two balls later, Pavan Rathnayake charged down the track only to be beaten in flight again and was stumped.

The left-arm spinner struck again in his next over, deceiving skipper Dasun Shanaka in the air to force a miscued stroke before removing Dushan Hemantha with another delivery that gripped and turned.

Santner quietly completed his quota, returning with 1/19 and dismissing the Lankan top-scorer Kamindu Mendis (31), virtually sealing Sri Lanka’s exit.

Invited to bat, New Zealand lost four wickets for nine runs between 9.3 and 12.1 overs as off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana (3/30) and pacer Dushmantha Chameera (3/38) turned the contest around in the middle overs.

But McConchie attacked in the 17th over, smashing Chameera for two sixes and a four in an 18-run over.

Santner then took on Sri Lanka’s best bowler Theekshana, striking a four and two sixes in the 18th over that yielded 21 runs to seize the momentum late in the innings.

The duo’s late charge saw the Kiwis score 70 runs in the final four overs as Sri Lanka, who had otherwise bowled well and given their best in the field, faltered at the death with poor lines and reduced intensity.

However, it was a different story at the halfway stage.

On a fresh Khettarama surface that appeared dry, off-spinner Theekshana and pacer Chameera shared six wickets between them to restrict New Zealand after they raced to 73/2 in nine overs.

Finn Allen smashed 23 off 13 balls (3×4, 1×6), attacking Dilshan Madushanka and Dunith Wellalage, while Ravindra looked fluent in his 32 off 22 balls (3×4, 1×6).

Theekshana then applied the brakes well. He varied his pace and angle, first removing Allen inside the powerplay with his carrom ball.

He later dismissed the well-set Ravindra with a flighted delivery that induced a mistimed slice.

In the space of three balls, he bowled Mark Chapman for a two-ball duck with a cleverly disguised wrong one that spun past the left-hander’s defence.

Chameera complemented him well, hitting the deck hard above 140 kph to dismiss Tim Seifert (8) and Glenn Phillips (18), while Wellalage accounted for Daryl Mitchell (3).