| 0.0 : ... MATCH DAY ... |
| Hello and a warm welcome to game number 4 of the T20 World Cup. It sees a clash in Group A where Sri Lanka will face Namibia. With an eye on the Super 12 qualification, both these teams will be eyeing to start their campaign on a winning note. Sri Lanka look clear favorites coming in this group but do not sleep on the guns Namibia possesses, as they can work wonders on their given day. |
| Sri Lanka have good momentum coming into this tournament as they defeated Oman 2-0 in a two-match T20I series. Thereafter, beating Bangladesh and Papa New Guinea in their warm-up matches. With the unavailability of their key players, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella, they will bet on the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Avishka Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera. The Lankans look clear favorites to clear this stage and progress further but as you know, nothing is guaranteed in thi |
| Namibia are the newbie in this tournament and are so called 'underdogs'. Namibia did not have the best of warm-up matches as they lost both their warm-up games to Oman and Scotland respectively. Playing a global event after almost two decades, they will be high on confidence and ready to showcase their talent on the biggest stage. With the likes of JJ Smit, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, and the newest addition of the former South African international David Wiese, Namibia do have a very balanced squad and |
| TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in the favour of Sri Lanka. They have opted to BOWL first. |
| Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Kusal Perera (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (C), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara. |
| Namibia (Playing XI) - Stephan Baard, Zane Green (WK), Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus (C), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Pikky Ya France, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz. |
| Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka, says that they will bowl first because there is a bit of dew. Tells that they have been playing good cricket and the team is doing good in the last six months. Tells that it is all about handling the situations well and ends by saying that he has been playing for long now and is happy to be the captain of Sri Lanka. |
| The captain of Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus, says that the wicket was getting slow in the first match and will look to post a decent score on the board. Mentions that it has been a long time for them to be back on the pinnacle of cricket, that is the world stage and it means a lot. Says that it is a big occasion and they will have to keep their emotions out of the game and focus on the game. |
| PITCH REPORT - Ian Bishop is inspecting the deck. He mentions that it is 67 metres on one side and about 82 metres on the other. Informs that the pitch is little bit drier and the spinners might get help from the surface. |
| We are all set to begin! There's a minute silence observed for Bandula Warnapura who passed away. He was Sri Lanka's first Test captain. The Asian side are also wearing black arm bands. Both teams line up for the national anthems now. First it will be Namibia's followed by Sri Lanka's. We are done with the proceedings and are ready to get underway. The Sri Lankan players stride out to the middle. Stephan Baard and Zane Green are the openers for Namibia. Chamika Karunaratne to open the atta |
| 0.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, A touch too straight and Baard flicks it away on the leg side for a single. |
| 1.1 : Dushmantha Chameera to Stephan Baard, A length ball, outside off and swinging away. Baard looks for the expansive drive but misses it completely. |
| 0.6 : Dushmantha Chameera to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.2 : Dushmantha Chameera to Stephan Baard, FOUR! That is a glorious shot from Stephan Baard and he also brings up 500 runs in T20Is. On top of off and driven on the up, through cover for a boundary. |
| 1.3 : Dushmantha Chameera to Stephan Baard, Short of a length, around off. Baard steers it towards third man for a single. |
| 1.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to Zane Green, WIDE! Drifting down the leg side, Green misses the flick and the umpire signals a wide. |
| Dushmantha Chameera to Zane Green, Back of a length, on off and going across the left-hander. Green dabs it down to backward point. |
| 1.5 : Dushmantha Chameera to Zane Green, LEG BYE! That must have hurt a bit. Banged in at 135 kph, on middle. The ball nips back in after pitching and hits Zane Green straight on the grill of the helmet. The ball rolls towards third man and they take a leg bye. Hope Green is fine. |
| 1.6 : Dushmantha Chameera to Stephan Baard, Back of a length again, Baard slashes it towards deep backward point and picks up a single. |
| 1.5 : Zane Green gets hit on the grill of the helmet. He looks fine but standard protocol as the physios come in to for a quick concussion check. All good and we are set to resume. |
| 2.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Stephan Baard, OUT! CAUGHT! Maheesh Theekshana strikes on his very first delivery. This is tossed up, on middle stump. Stephan Baard looks to go aerial but the ball holds a bit in the surface. Baard ends up skying it towards the mid on region. Wanindu Hasaranga settles under it and takes a very well-judged catch. Namibia lose an early wicket. |
| 0.0 : Maheesh Theekshana comes into the attack. |
| Craig Williams walks out to bat at No.3. |
| 2.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Zane Green, On off and going across the left-hander. Green looks to cover drive but edges it towards third man. They race back for the second. |
| 2.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Zane Green, Theekshana pulls back the length a bit and Green punches it down the ground for a single. |
| 2.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, Looped up, on off and Williams blocks it out. |
| 2.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, Flighted ball, outside off. Craig Williams drives it gently towards the cover region. |
| 2.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, WIDE! A slider this time, going down the leg side. Williams misses the flick and is out of his crease for a second. He plants his foot back and a wide is signalled. |
| Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, The carrom-ball this time, on off and Williams manages to keep it out. |
| 3.1 : Lahiru Kumara to Zane Green, On the pads, this is tucked away on the leg side for a single. |
| 0.0 : Lahiru Kumara comes into the attack. He replaces Dushmantha Chameera. |
| 3.2 : Lahiru Kumara to Craig Williams, Good-length ball, around off and angling in. Williams taps it off the back foot to cover-point. |
| 3.3 : Lahiru Kumara to Craig Williams, Length again, around off and at 142 kph and skidding on. Williams bunts it back to the bowler. |
| 3.4 : Lahiru Kumara to Craig Williams, A bit of extra bounce on this occasion. Good-length ball, on off and this one nips back into the body. Williams fends it away behind square on the leg side and gets a single. |
| 3.5 : Lahiru Kumara to Zane Green, Back of a length, around off. Green hops back and taps it on the off side for a quick single. |
| 3.6 : Lahiru Kumara to Craig Williams, Kumara hits the length hard at 143 kph and bowls this around off stump. Williams keeps it out on the off side. |
| 4.1 : Dushmantha Chameera to Zane Green, Good-length ball, outside off, nipping away. Zane Green looks to go over mid off and swings his bat but fails to connect. |
| 0.0 : Dushmantha Chameera to switch ends now. |
| 4.2 : Dushmantha Chameera to Zane Green, On a length, around off. Zane Green chops it back to the keeper. |
| 4.3 : Dushmantha Chameera to Zane Green, Three dots in a row! Short ball, on middle, at 147 kph. Zane Green looks to pull but gets hit on the grill of the helmet. A mandatory concussion check once again. |
| Another crash into the helmet of Zane Green and the physios are out for a mandatory concussion protocol. He is okay and we are ready to resume. |
| 4.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to Zane Green, On a good length on the pads, Zane Green clips it to deep square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 4.5 : Dushmantha Chameera to Zane Green, Fuller in length, on off. Zane Green jams it out to mid off. He takes off for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the striker's end but misses. |
| 4.6 : Dushmantha Chameera to Craig Williams, Good-length ball, on off. Craig Williams hops and taps it towards covers for a single. |
| Maheesh Theekshana also switches the ends. |
| 5.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, SIX! BANG! Loopy ball, on middle. Craig Williams steps out and heaves it over long off for a biggie. |
| 5.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, WIDE! Down the leg side. Craig Williams leaves it alone. Wided. |
| Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, Floats it up, on the pads. Craig Williams tucks it on the leg side for a single. |
| 5.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Zane Green, Tosses it up, on off. Zane Green looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 5.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Zane Green, OUT! TAKEN! Maheesh Theekshana bags his second wicket. He tosses it up nicely, outside off. Zane Green goes down on one knee and tries to drag this one across the line. Ends up getting a leading edge and the ball goes towards mid-wicket. Dasun Shanaka takes a dolly there and Namibia lose their second wicket inside the Powerplay. |
| Gerhard Erasmus walks out now. |
| 5.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, Quicker delivery, on leg. Craig Williams looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls on the leg side and the batters take a leg bye. |
| 5.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Gerhard Erasmus, Full and on middle, pushed back to the bowler. End of the Powerplay, Namibia are 30/2. |
| 6.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Craig Williams, Good-length ball, on middle. Craig Williams covers the sticks and pats it back to the bowler. |
| 0.0 : Chamika Karunaratne is back into the attack. |
| 6.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Craig Williams, Short ball, on middle. Craig Williams turns and looks to pull. He gets hit on the shoulder and the batters take a single as the ball rolls down to third man. There might have been some bat on it as the umpire gives it as runs. |
| 6.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Gerhard Erasmus, On a length, on off, angling in. Gerhard Erasmus punches it to mid on for a run. |
| 6.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Craig Williams, Short and outside off, Craig Williams advances down the track and watches the ball go past him. |
| 6.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Craig Williams, Short of a length, on off. Craig Williams steers it to third man for one. |
| 6.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Gerhard Erasmus, Full and on middle, right on the money. Gerhard Erasmus clips it nicely off the pads to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| Wanindu Hasaranga is into the attack. |
| 7.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Craig Williams, Flatter and quicker, on off. Craig Williams uses his feet and looks to flick but misses. He gets hit on the pads. Wanindu Hasaranga appeals for an LBW but the umpire says no. |
| 7.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Craig Williams, A googly on off, Craig Williams blocks it out. |
| 7.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Craig Williams, NO BALL! Loopy ball, outside off. Craig Williams presses forward and works it on the off side for a single. Wanindu Hasaranga has overstepped and will have to reload again. Free Hit coming up... |
| Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, Quicker delivery, on middle. Gerhard Erasmus gets down on one knee and looks to slog sweep but misses. The ball crashes onto the stumps but it's a free hit and Gerhard Erasmus can relax. |
| 7.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, FOUR! Loopy ball, outside off. Gerhard Erasmus rocks back and cuts it past backward point for a boundary. |
| 7.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, FOUR! Two in row! This time it's full and on off, Gerhard Erasmus drives it through covers for another boundary. Timed that one superbly. |
| 7.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, On off, worked to mid on for one. |
| 8.1 : Lahiru Kumara to Gerhard Erasmus, On a length, on off. Gerhard Erasmus works it to third man and takes a quick single. He wanted another run but was sent back. |
| 8.2 : Lahiru Kumara to Craig Williams, Another length ball, on middle. Craig Williams nudges it to long on for a single. |
| 8.3 : Lahiru Kumara to Gerhard Erasmus, NOT OUT! Kumara steams and deceives Erasmus with a slower ball, on a length and just around off. Gerhard Erasmus looks to defend under his eyes but seems to miss it and gets hit on the pads. An appeal and the umpire says no. They take the review straight away and the only question was the impact. The umpire was correct as the Ball Tracker shows the impact was outside off. Sri Lanka lose their review. |
| 8.4 : Lahiru Kumara to Gerhard Erasmus, A pacy short ball on middle. Gerhard Erasmus sits under it. |
| 8.3 : Sri Lanka take a review for an LBW. UltraEdge shows it is pad first. Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside off and the original decision will stay. Sri Lanka lose their review. |
| 8.5 : Lahiru Kumara to Gerhard Erasmus, Full and angling on middle, tucked to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 8.6 : Lahiru Kumara to Craig Williams, Very full and on off. Williams squeezes it out to mid off for a quick single. 50 up for Namibia. |
| 9.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Craig Williams, Flatter and on middle. Craig Williams sweeps it wide of deep square leg for a brace. The fielder in the deep does well to stop it from racing away. |
| 9.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Craig Williams, Full and on off. Craig Williams steps down and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 9.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Craig Williams, Loopy ball, on middle. Craig Williams mistimes his sweep back on the deck. |
| 9.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Craig Williams, A googly now, around off. Craig Williams hits it back off the inner half to the bowler. |
| 9.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Craig Williams, Now comes down the track and turns it down to long on for a single. |
| 9.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gerhard Erasmus, Tossed up on middle. Gerhard Erasmus taps it to mid-wicket for one more. |
| 0.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, Lovely delivery to start off with. In the channel outside off and nipping away sharply. Stephan Baard pokes at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. |
| 0.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, Length again, outside off. Baard hangs back looking to cut but his feet don't move and he misses the shot. |
| 0.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, WIDE! Chamika Karunaratne looks for the big inswinger this time and spills it well down the leg side. Wide signalled and Namibia are off the mark. |
| Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, That one had some sting on it! Banged in, around off stump. Stephan Baard looks to upper cut but the ball bounces a bit extra and the keeper collects it in front of his face. |
| 0.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, Good-length ball, outside off. This one is angled in but straightens after pitching. Baard looks to block but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 0.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Stephan Baard, Back of a length, around off and tapped to the cover region. |
| 9.6 : DRINKS! Namibia have been put on the back foot from the start but Craig Williams and the skipper, Gerhard Erasmus are stitching together a nice little partnership. Sri Lanka have bowled well so far and have put the pressure on at all times. They will look to pick up a few more wickets and bog Namibia down a bit more. Chamika Karunaratne (2-0-7-0) comes back into the attack. |
| 10.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Gerhard Erasmus, Lovely fielding by Dinesh Chandimal! A length ball, outside off. Gerhard Erasmus cuts it straight to point where Chandimal does well to stop it. It was hit with some power and needed some stopping. |
| 10.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Gerhard Erasmus, A length ball, on off. Gerhard Erasmus pushes it through covers for a brace. |
| 10.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Gerhard Erasmus, Brilliant from Dinesh Chandimal again! Outside off, cut away to the right of point where Chandimal dives and half-stops it. A single. |
| 10.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Craig Williams, Short ball, outside off. Craig Williams looks to pull but misses. |
| 10.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Craig Williams, Now a slower delivery, full and outside off. Craig Williams looks to go big on the off side but misses. |
| 10.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Craig Williams, Slower, full and on middle. Craig Williams backs away and hits it to cover where a misfield allows the batter to collect a couple of runs. |
| 11.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, On middle, it lands and spins back in. Craig Williams looks to heave but misses and gets hit on the pads. A mild appeal follows for LBW. |
| 11.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, Darted on the pads, flicked to deep square leg for a single. |
| 0.0 : Maheesh Theekshana comes back on. 2-0-12-2 for him, so far. |
| 11.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Gerhard Erasmus, Flatter and on off. Gerhard Erasmus lifts it over covers and takes a single. |
| 11.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, Slight short and on middle, pulled away to deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 11.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Gerhard Erasmus, Comes down the track and flicks it off the pads and towards deep mid-wicket for one more. |
| 11.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Craig Williams, SIX! Maximum to end the over! A full ball, on middle. Craig Williams slog-sweeps it high in the air and gets enough distance for it to sail over the deep square leg region. |
| 12.1 : Lahiru Kumara to Gerhard Erasmus, A yorker, on off stump. Erasmus digs it out to short cover. |
| 12.2 : Lahiru Kumara to Gerhard Erasmus, OUT! CAUGHT! That is a big blow for Namibia as their skipper, Gerhard Erasmus departs. A length ball, on off and Erasmus looks to accelerate by going for a big shot. Erasmus ends up skying it very high and towards the long on fence. Wanindu Hasaranga is stationed in the deep and he takes a fine catch. Lahiru Kumara gets his man in the end. |
| David Wiese is the new batsman in. |
| 0.0 : Lahiru Kumara comes back on. |
| 12.3 : Lahiru Kumara to Craig Williams, A pacy delivery, on a good length and outside off. Play and a miss from Williams. |
| 12.4 : Lahiru Kumara to Craig Williams, On the pads and this is tucked to deep square leg for a run. |
| 12.5 : Lahiru Kumara to David Wiese, Banged in short and over the leg stump. David Wiese ducks under it. |
| 12.6 : Lahiru Kumara to David Wiese, Full, around off. Wiese strokes it through cover for a single. Just 2 runs and a wicket from the over. |
| 13.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to David Wiese, On off and skidding on. Wiese hops back and works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 13.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Craig Williams, Flatter one, on the pads. Craig Williams steps out of his crease and dabs it on the leg side for a couple of runs. |
| 0.0 : Wanindu Hasaranga comes back into the attack. |
| 13.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Craig Williams, OUT! LBW! Just when Craig Williams was looking set, he has thrown his wicket away. The ball is a bit full and on middle stump, Williams looks to play the reverse sweep but misses it completely. The ball raps Williams plumb in front and the umpire raises his finger without any hesitation. Namibia do take the review but the replay also confirms that it would go on to hit the middle stump. Wanindu Hasaranga gets his first wicket of the match. |
| 13.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to JJ Smit, Looped up, very full and on middle. Smit flicks it towards wide long on and picks up a single. |
| 13.3 : JJ Smit is the new man in. |
| 13.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to David Wiese, Drifting onto the pads and Wiese works it beautifully through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 13.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to David Wiese, Slightly shorter and slower, on off stump. Wiese pushes it off the back foot towards cover. |
| 13.3 : Craig Williams opts for a review. UltraEdge shows there is no bat involved. Ball Tracking shows all three reds. The original decision stays and Craig Williams has to depart. |
| 14.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to JJ Smit, A length ball, angled in on the pads. Smit tucks it behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 14.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to David Wiese, Wiese keeps on dealing in twos. Short and wide, cut away to the left of deep point for a couple of runs. |
| 0.0 : Chamika Karunaratne comes back into the attack to bowl his final over. |
| 14.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to David Wiese, OUT! LBW! That one nipped back in really sharply and there's nothing David Wiese could do about it. On a length, around off and the ball jags back in after pitching. The ball skids on and Wiese gets caught on the crease. The ball crashes into the pads and Chamika Karunaratne appeals. The umpire raises his finger and the dangerous Wiese has to depart early. Sri Lanka right on top at the moment. |
| 14.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Jan Frylinck, Slower and fuller, on the pads. Jan Frylinck tickles it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 14.3 : The new man in is Jan Frylinck. |
| 14.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to JJ Smit, In the air...safe! A well-directed short ball from Chamika Karunaratne. This one is a lot quicker and is angled in at the body, takes Smit by surprise. Smit hooks it without much control and the ball goes behind short fine leg. They scamper back for the second. |
| 14.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to JJ Smit, Good-length ball, on off. Smit taps it onto the off side. |
| 15.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Jan Frylinck, Was that a dropped catch? No it wasn't. Quicker one, on middle. Jan Frylinck looks to sweep but misses and the ball takes the pad on its way to the keeper, who fumbles. |
| 15.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Jan Frylinck, Theekshana slows this one up and gives it some air. Jan Frylinck works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 0.0 : Maheesh Theekshana comes back on to bowl his final over as well. |
| 15.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to JJ Smit, Shortish ball, on middle and leg. JJ Smit rocks back and plays it towards deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 15.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Jan Frylinck, OUT! BOWLED! The mystery spinner gets his third wicket of the match. This is a flatter delivery, on middle and leg and skidding across the left-hander. Jan Frylinck gets down on one knee and looks to sweep but plays down the wrong line. Frylinck misses and the ball goes on to hit the off stump. Namibia lose their sixth wicket. |
| Nicol Loftie-Eaton is the new batsman in. |
| 15.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Flatter delivery again, around leg stump. Nicol Loftie-Eaton makes room but gets in a tangle as the ball raps him on the pads. The bowler appeals but the umpire turns down the appeal. |
| 15.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, On a length, on middle and this is eased down the ground for a single. |
| 16.1 : Dushmantha Chameera to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, On a length and on middle. Nicol Loftie-Eaton hits it to mid on for a quick single. |
| 0.0 : Dushmantha Chameera (2-0-11-0) is reintroduced into the attack. |
| 16.2 : Dushmantha Chameera to JJ Smit, Another length ball, on off. JJ Smit mistimes his pull shot towards long on for a single. |
| 16.3 : Dushmantha Chameera to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, On a length, on middle. Nicol Loftie-Eaton slaps it to covers. |
| 16.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Very full and on middle. Nicol Loftie-Eaton jams it out to covers and scampers across for a quick single. |
| 16.5 : Dushmantha Chameera to JJ Smit, A slower length ball, outside off. JJ Smit is too early on his pull shot and fails to connect it. |
| 16.6 : Dushmantha Chameera to JJ Smit, Slower and on the pads, tucked to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 17.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to JJ Smit, A flatter ball, was slower in the air and on middle. JJ Smit gets an inside edge as he looks to push. Only the keeper appeals for LBW. |
| 17.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to JJ Smit, Short and on middle, pulled away to square leg for a single. |
| 0.0 : Wanindu Hasaranga comes back on. |
| 17.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, OUT! LBW! Namibia are 7 down now! A slower, flatter ball, on middle. Nicol Loftie-Eaton goes for the reverse sweep but fails to execute, he misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal and up goes the finger. Nicol Loftie-Eaton thinks before taking the review and ultimately goes for it. UltraEdge shows no bat involved. Ball Tracker shows umpire's call on wickets hitting and Hasaranga gets his second wicket. Ruben Trumpelmann walks out to bat. |
| 17.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Ruben Trumpelmann, This one stays lower off the deck, on middle and this is pushed to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 17.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to JJ Smit, Another slower ball, flatter and outside off. JJ Smit looks to sweep but misses. |
| 17.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to JJ Smit, Just a single to end Wanindu Hasaranga's spell! Loopy ball, on off. Smit flicks it on the leg side. |
| 17.3 : Namibia opts for a review. UltraEdge shows there is a flat line as the ball passes the bat. Ball Tracking shows that it was umpire's call on wickets hitting. The original decision stays. |
| 18.1 : Dushmantha Chameera to JJ Smit, Around off, pushed to covers for a single. |
| 18.2 : Dushmantha Chameera to Ruben Trumpelmann, Short of a length, outside off. Ruben Trumpelmann gets a leading edge as he looks to pull. The ball lobs up in front of the point fielder who carries it on a bounce. |
| 18.3 : Dushmantha Chameera to Ruben Trumpelmann, OUT! TAKEN! Absolutely brilliant from Dasun Shanaka! Short of a length, outside off. Ruben Trumpelmann again goes for the pull shot and again gets a top edge. The ball lobs this time to the left of the bowler. Dasun Shanaka runs in from cover and stretches his right hand out to take a one-handed stunner. |
| Pikky Ya France walks out to bat. |
| 18.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to Pikky Ya France, On a length, on middle, tucked to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 18.5 : Dushmantha Chameera to JJ Smit, Very full and on off. Smit digs it out to mid off. |
| 18.6 : Dushmantha Chameera to JJ Smit, Good effort in the field by Dasun Shanaka! A full ball, outside off. Smit goes aerially over covers. Dasun Shanaka leaps and half-stops it. Two taken. Might call it a drop but was a very hard chance. |
| Lahiru Kumara (3-0-9-1) to bowl the final over. |
| 19.1 : Lahiru Kumara to Pikky Ya France, OUT! TIMBER! Kumara has absolutely nailed his yorker here! A yorker, angling on middle. Pikky Ya France is too late as he tries to squeeze this one out. The ball sneaks through and disturbs the middle stump. |
| Bernard Scholtz is the last batsman to come in. |
| 19.2 : Lahiru Kumara to Bernard Scholtz, A slower length ball, outside off. Bernard Scholtz is beaten on the outside edge as he looks to push. |
| 19.3 : A run out appeal has been sent upstairs by the umpires. Replay shows Bernard Scholtz was well outside the crease. The third umpire shows OUT on the big screen. |
| Sri Lanka will be might pleased here. A collective effort from the bowlers and they have restricted Namibia below 100. Namibia, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance. They never got going and have been bundled out. Not a start they dreamt of playing their first T20 World Cup match. |
| Lahiru Kumara to Bernard Scholtz, OUT! RUN OUT! A low full toss, on middle. defends it back to the bowler who half-stops it and lobs the ball to the left of mid-wicket. Pathum Nissanka carries it and underarms it to the bowler's end. A direct hit was needed as the batter look for a quick single and he scores one too. A quick look for the third umpire and he signals OUT. NAMIBIA ARE ALL OUT ON 96. |
| A sorry day at the office for Namibia! Theywere off to a shaky start as they lost Stephan Baard early. Zane Green looked scratchy in his innings and departed soon as well. They were 30/2 in the Powerplay. After that they needed someone to rebuild the innings and Gerhard Erasmus and Craig Williams reassessed their plans and just when their partnership started to bloom, the former holed out. They lost two wickets after that in the next two overs and looked in all sorts of trouble. Chances of |
| Sri Lanka were on a roll with the ball! They introduced spin in the third over itself and Maheesh Theekshana drew the first blood. He came back into the attack and scalped another one to put Namibia on the back foot. The Lankan bowlers kept on piling the pressure by chipping wickets at regular intervals and never allowed Namibia batters to settle. Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the lot as he ended figures with 4-0-25-3. Playing in his first T20 World Cup match, the youngster made his ma |
| Chamika Karunaratne is up for a chat - He says that it feels really good and from the first over they did well. Mentions that the basics are important and he looked to keep things simple. Adds that the wicket did have some support for the fast bowlers and hence he used some bouncers. Mentions that they are happy to chase down this total. |
| Right then! 97 is what Sri Lanka have to chase and knowing their batting line up, it is not a challenging total. Stay tuned for the second essay. |
| 0.1 : David Wiese to Pathum Nissanka, Pathum Nissanka and Sri Lanka are up and running. A length ball, on top of off and tapped onto the off side for a quick single. |
| 0.2 : David Wiese to Kusal Perera, Good-length ball, on leg stump. Kusal Perera manages to tuck it away toward square leg for a run and he's off the mark as well. |
| 0.3 : David Wiese to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, on the hips. Pathum Nissanka hops and dabs it down to deep square leg for another one. |
| 0.4 : David Wiese to Kusal Perera, Very full, on off and driven nicely but straight to mid off. |
| 0.5 : David Wiese to Kusal Perera, Good-length ball, on leg stump and angling across. Perera looks to pull it away but misses and gets hit in the ribs. |
| 0.6 : David Wiese to Kusal Perera, Well-timed shot for a single. A length ball, on off and driven on the up towards mid off by Perera. Just 4 off the first over. |
| Who will bowl from the other end? It is Ruben Trumpelmann. |
| 1.1 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Kusal Perera, FOUR! In the slot and Kusal Perera thumps it right back past the bowler to bring up the first boundary off the innings. |
| 1.2 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Kusal Perera, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Kusal Perera. Attempted short ball, sits up nicely for the batter. Perera pulls it through the mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 1.3 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Kusal Perera, This is pulled hard but now there is a fielder at the mid-wicket fence. Banged in short, around off and Perera gets on top of the bounce once again but picks up just the single this time. |
| 1.4 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Pathum Nissanka, Drop and run! On middle and bunted on the leg side for a quick single. |
| 1.5 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Kusal Perera, OUT! CAUGHT! Ruben Trumpelmann has the last laugh as he draws first blood. Full and around off stump. Kusal Perera looks to drive uppishly and past mid off but can't get through. JJ Smit dives to his left and takes a brilliant catch to get rid of the dangerous Perera. Can Namibia now build on this breakthrough? |
| Dinesh Chandimal walks out at number 3. |
| 1.6 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Pathum Nissanka, A length ball, on the pads. Pathum Nissanka dabs it down on the leg side for a single. |
| Bernard Scholtz is into the attack. |
| 2.1 : Bernard Scholtz to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! Scholtz starts with a loosener way down the leg side. Left alone and wide signalled. |
| Bernard Scholtz to Pathum Nissanka, Drifting onto the pads and this one keeps a bit low. Pathum Nissanka gets his front pad out of the way and works it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 2.2 : Bernard Scholtz to Dinesh Chandimal, Flatter and quicker, on the pads. Dinesh Chandimal looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. |
| 2.3 : Bernard Scholtz to Dinesh Chandimal, A touch short and Chandimal punches it off the back foot on the off side but can't find the gap. |
| 2.4 : Bernard Scholtz to Dinesh Chandimal, On off and skidding on, Chandimal steps out of his crease and looks to work it on the leg side. He misses and gets hit on the pads again. |
| 2.5 : Bernard Scholtz to Dinesh Chandimal, On a length, on off and this is eased down to long on for a single. |
| 2.6 : Bernard Scholtz to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! LBW! Bernard Scholtz gets a wicket in his first over and Sri Lanka lose their second. This is a flatter delivery, around off and going on with the angle. Pathum Nissanka walks a bit across his stumps and looks to tuck it on the leg side. Nissanka gets in a tangle and ends up missing the ball. The ball raps him on the pads and the bowler appeals. The umpire raises his finger but Sri Lanka do review. It's three reds and Pathum Nissanka has to walk |
| Review time! Pathum Nissanka has taken a review for LBW. UltraEdge shows no bat involved. Ball Tracking shows three reds and the on-field decision stays. |
| Avishka Fernando is the new man in. |
| 3.1 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Dinesh Chandimal, Good-length ball, on off. Dinesh Chandimal punches it towards cover and sets off for a quick single. Good running. |
| 3.2 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Avishka Fernando, Ruben Trumpelmann hits the length hard, on off and angles it across. Avishka Fernando pulls it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 3.3 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Dinesh Chandimal, Drop and run! Sri Lanka know how important these singles are, especially after losing a couple of early wickets and they are putting pressure on the fielders, asking them to have a shy at the stumps. Back of a length, on off and dabbed down to backward point for a single. |
| 3.4 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Avishka Fernando, Right on the money from Ruben Trumpelmann. On top of off and Avishka Fernando defends it out. |
| 3.5 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Avishka Fernando, Trumplemann hits the length hard again, on middle. Fernando hops back to defend. |
| 3.6 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Avishka Fernando, Good-length ball, wide of off stump. Avishka Fernando goes after it and slashes it to the left of third man. The fielder over there puts in the dive and keeps it to a couple of runs. Just 5 off the over. |
| 4.1 : Bernard Scholtz to Dinesh Chandimal, Quicker delivery, on middle. Dinesh Chandimal knocks it back to the bowler. |
| 4.2 : Bernard Scholtz to Dinesh Chandimal, Tosses it up, outside off. Pushed back to the bowler again. |
| 4.3 : Bernard Scholtz to Dinesh Chandimal, Flatter delivery, outside off. Dinesh Chandimal looks to cut but gets an inside edge back to the keeper. |
| 4.4 : Bernard Scholtz to Dinesh Chandimal, Full and on off, driven to long off for a single. |
| 4.5 : Bernard Scholtz to Avishka Fernando, A full toss, outside off. Fernando steps out and hits it towards long off for a run. |
| 4.6 : Bernard Scholtz to Dinesh Chandimal, Excellent over! Just 3 runs from it. Full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal uses his feet and nudges it to mid on. He retains the strike by picking up a single. |
| JJ Smit is into the attack. |
| 5.1 : JJ Smit to Dinesh Chandimal, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! JJ Smit comes into the attack and gets a wicket off his first delivery. Namibia are putting up a show here. JJ Smit bowls a length ball, outside off. Dinesh Chandimal stays deep in the crease and looks to cut. He miscues and gets a feather through the keeper. Zane Green pouches an easy catch and Sri Lanka in a spot of bother now. JJ Smit is pumped up. |
| 0.0 : Who walks out? It is Bhanuka Rajapaksa. |
| 5.2 : JJ Smit to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Length ball, on middle. Bhanuka Rajapaksa tucks it on the leg side for one. |
| 5.3 : JJ Smit to Avishka Fernando, Good-length ball, on off, at 129 kph. Avishka Fernando defends it off the front foot. |
| 5.5 : JJ Smit to Avishka Fernando, On a good length, on off. Avishka Fernando blocks it out towards covers. |
| 5.4 : JJ Smit to Avishka Fernando, SIX! Dispatched! Length ball, on middle. Avishka Fernando shimmies down the track and simply clips the ball over deep mid-wicket. He timed that so beautifully and the ball lands well over the ropes. A maximum. |
| 5.6 : JJ Smit to Avishka Fernando, NOT OUT! That was close! JJ Smit delivers a length ball, on off, angling away. Avishka Fernando looks to defend but misses. The ball goes off the thigh pad and races away to the third man boundary. Namibia take a review for an LBW. UltraEdge shows no bat involved. Ball Tracking shows that it was pitching outside leg. End of the Powerplay, Sri Lanka are 37/3. |
| Pikky Ya France is into the attack. |
| Review time! A late review taken by Namibia for LBW. UltraEdge shows no bat. Ball Tracker shows pitching outside leg and Namibia lose their review. |
| 6.1 : Pikky Ya France to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, On middle, Bhanuka Rajapaksa blocks it out from the crease. |
| 6.2 : Pikky Ya France to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Loopy ball, outside off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa taps it towards point. He calls for a single but is sent back by Avishka Fernando. |
| 6.3 : Pikky Ya France to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Full and on the pads, Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the gloves. |
| 6.4 : Pikky Ya France to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, FOUR! Floats it up, on leg. Bhanuka Rajapaksa this time connects well and sweeps it towards the fine leg region to collect a boundary. |
| 6.5 : Pikky Ya France to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Drifting it on middle, flicked through square leg for one. |
| 6.6 : Pikky Ya France to Avishka Fernando, Full, outside off. Nudged to mid-wicket for a single. |
| Nicol Loftie-Eaton is into the attack. |
| 7.1 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Avishka Fernando, Flatter delivery, around off. Avishka Fernando turns it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 7.2 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, FOUR! Nicely tossed up, outside off and Bhanuka Rajapaksa plays a lovely lofted shot over covers. He finds the vacant extra cover fence and picks up a boundary. |
| 7.3 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, On off and Rajapaksa can't find the gap on the off side. |
| 7.4 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Slightly short, on middle. Pulled to deep square leg for a run. |
| 7.5 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Avishka Fernando, Floats it up, on middle. Avishka Fernando presses forward and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 7.6 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Avishka Fernando, A fulll toss, on middle, Avishka Fernando plays it to long off for a single. 50 comes up for Sri Lanka. |
| 8.1 : Bernard Scholtz to Avishka Fernando, Angles it on middle, pushed to covers. |
| 8.2 : Bernard Scholtz to Avishka Fernando, Slight short and on off. Avishka Fernando slaps it through point for a brace. |
| 0.0 : Bernard Scholtz (2-0-6-1) is back into the attack. |
| 8.3 : Bernard Scholtz to Avishka Fernando, This one stays low, full and on middle, driven through covers for one. |
| 8.4 : Bernard Scholtz to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, SIX! THUMPED! Full and on middle. Bhanuka Rajapaksa skips down and heaves it over mid-wicket for a biggie. |
| 8.5 : Bernard Scholtz to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Bhanuka again goes for the heave and Scholtz sees it and serves it very full and outside off, dabbed to point for a single. |
| 8.6 : Bernard Scholtz to Avishka Fernando, On middle, defended back to the bowler. 37 runs needed in 66 balls. |
| 9.1 : Jan Frylinck to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Fuller and on off, defended on the off side. |
| 0.0 : Jan Frylinck is brought into the attack for the first time today. |
| 9.3 : Jan Frylinck to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, On a length, on off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa bunts it to point. |
| 9.2 : Jan Frylinck to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, DROPPED AND FOUR! Short in length, on middle. Bhanuka Rajapaksa pulls it late and towards deep backward square leg. The fielder there spills it out and also palms it to the ropes for a boundary. |
| 9.4 : Jan Frylinck to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, FOUR! Crunched! Full and outside off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa smashes it through covers for a boundary. |
| 9.5 : Jan Frylinck to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Slower short ball, on middle. Bhanuka Rajapaksa sits under it. |
| 9.6 : Jan Frylinck to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Around off, pushed to mid off. 29 needed in 60 balls. |
| 10.1 : Gerhard Erasmus to Avishka Fernando, Outside off, dabbed to short third man. |
| 10.2 : Gerhard Erasmus to Avishka Fernando, A low full toss, outside off. Avishka Fernando eases it down to long on for one. |
| 0.0 : DRINKS! Sri Lanka faltered a bit in the Powerplay as they lost 3 wickets but Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa have ensured that there are no further hiccups and they look to be in pole position to wrap this one up. Namibia have bowled really well but there aren't enough runs to defend. Also, Gerhard Erasmus is into the attack. |
| 10.3 : Gerhard Erasmus to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Loopy ball, outside off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to lift it over covers but gets beaten on the outside edge. |
| 10.4 : Gerhard Erasmus to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Full and on middle, pushed towards extra cover for a single. |
| 10.5 : Gerhard Erasmus to Avishka Fernando, Slower through the air, outside off. Avishka Fernando nudges it to long on for a run. |
| 10.6 : Gerhard Erasmus to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Flatter ball, on off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa retains the strike by tapping towards covers for a single. |
| David Wiese (1-0-4-0) is back into the attack. |
| 11.1 : David Wiese to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Full and on off, Bhanuka Rajapaksa works it down to long on for a single. |
| 11.2 : David Wiese to Avishka Fernando, On a length, on off. Avishka Fernando guides it to deep backward point for a single. |
| 11.3 : David Wiese to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, On the pads, clipped to deep square leg for one. |
| 11.4 : David Wiese to Avishka Fernando, On a good length, on off. Avishka Fernando pushes it towards covers. |
| 11.5 : David Wiese to Avishka Fernando, Slower ball, on middle, angling in. Avishka Fernando knocks it to mid on for a single. |
| 11.6 : David Wiese to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Fuller in length, on middle. Bhanuka Rajapaksa chips it over the bowler's head towards long on for a couple of runs. 17 needed from 48 balls. |
| 12.1 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Avishka Fernando, SIX! WHOA! Fullish, on middle. Avishka Fernando goes down on one knee and lifts it over long off for a biggie. |
| 12.2 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Avishka Fernando, On middle, tucked on the leg side for a single this time. |
| 11.3 : Ruben Trumpelmann (2-0-16-1) is brought into the attack. |
| Ruben Trumpelmann to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Short of a length, outside off. Pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 12.4 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Avishka Fernando, Short again, on middle. Avishka Fernando pulls it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 12.5 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Length ball, outside off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa smashes it to deep mid-wicket only for a single. |
| 10.4 : Gerhard Erasmus to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, WIDE! Sprays this one down the leg side, Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to flick but misses. Wided. |
| 12.6 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Avishka Fernando, Slower and fuller, outside off. Avishka Fernando carves it towards deep point for one. Just 6 needed now. |
| 11.3 : David Wiese to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, WIDE! Short ball, on middle. Bhanuka Rajapaksa ducks underneath. Wide signalled for height. The 50-run partnership also comes up for these two. |
| 13.1 : Jan Frylinck to Avishka Fernando, Fullish ball, outside off and driven nicely through cover for a single. |
| 12.6 : Jan Frylinck comes back on. |
| 13.2 : Jan Frylinck to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Slower one, banged in around off stump. Bhanuka Rajapaksa pulls it behind square on the leg side. The fielder from deep mid-wicket gives chase and cuts it off. They get an easy two. |
| 13.3 : Jan Frylinck to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, SIX! Bhanuka Rajapaksa finishes things off in style! A length ball, on the hips and Rajapaksa just picks it up and clears the fielder at the backward square leg fence for a maximum. SRI LANKA WIN BY 7 WICKETS! |
| Earlier Sri Lanka looked in a spot of bother but ultimately they chased it down pretty comfortably. Sri Lanka have started the qualifications round on a winning note and also gained a heavy net run rate success with it. |
| The saying 'All is well that ends well' did really apply during the Lankan innings as they were 26 for 3 at one stage. None of their top order gave them a good start and they did look nervy at one stage but all thanks to Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who stitched a partnership of 74 and helped their team to cross the finish line. |
| Namibia started brilliantly as they scalped 3 wickets inside the Powerplay. Wickets were a must in a low-chasing game and they did very well early on but eventually, failed to capitalize on it. They restricted Sri Lanka from scoring freely but also deteriorated in taking wickets. Still, they showed a good fight till the end but came second best in the contest. Gerhard Erasmus used 8 bowlers and tried his best to find a wicket but failed to do so. |
| ... TIME FOR THE PRESENTATION ... |
| Maheesh Theekshana, is the Man of the Match, he says that he is really happy to represent the country. Mentions that this is a huge moment for him. Tells that his plan is to take one game at a time. Informs that he was the man of the match last time as well and says it feels good to get the award again. |
| Gerhard Erasmus, the losing skipper, says that they will look at the positives from this game and two very important games are coming up and if they carry on putting in the effort, they can win them. Mentions that Sri Lanka have a quality bowling attack and the batters have to come to the party in the next match. About Ruben Trumpelmann, he says that yes he is a quality bowler and believes he can continue to perform well. Also adds that this is a very big stage to put their brand of cricket ou |
| Dasun Shanaka, the winning skipper, says they planned a lot and they want to get through this stage. Talking about, Ruben Trumpelmann, he says that he has been outstanding for the past few months. Adds that earlier they had pacers but they did not execute well and now they can see good things for them. Says that winning all three games will give them a big boost as they know the conditions well. |
| Right then! That is it from this match but the action in the T20 World Cup continues as we have two matches lined up in Group B for Tuesday 19th October 2021, Scotland will face Papua New Guinea at 2 pm Local (10 am GMT) and then Oman will face Bangladesh at 6 pm Local (2 pm GMT). Make sure you join us for that. Till then, take care and goodbye! |
| Earlier in the day, a collective bowling performance saw Sri Lanka restrict Namibia to a timid score of 96. There were some early hiccups in the dugout of Sri Lanka but Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa showed good spirit and navigated their team to victory. |
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