Cricket World Cup 2019: Matt Henry runs the show as New Zealand thump hapless Sri Lanka

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 19:14 01/06/2019
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  • After Pakistan were thumped by the West Indies’ bowling attack, fellow Asian team Sri Lanka followed suit, falling victim to a sensational performance by Matt Henry for New Zealand.

    Henry and Lockie Ferguson combined to run through Sri Lanka’s middle order, restricting them to a low total of just 136 runs. The Black Caps chased this down in just over 16 overs, without the loss of a single wicket.

    Kane Williamson won the toss and asked the Lankans to bat first at Sophia Gardens in their first game of the World Cup.

    Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne (52), Kusal Perera (29) and Thisara Perera (27) were the only players to reach the double digits for Sri Lanka.

    Martin Guptill (73*) and Colin Munto (58*) finished off what the bowlers started and handed the 1996 World Champions a crushing defeat in their first game of the World Cup.

    We take a look at the talking points from the one-sided affair.

    MATT HENRY RUNS THE SHOW

    Henry set the dominoes rolling for Sri Lanka’s collapse, claiming three important wickets in his first, rather lengthy spell.

    His first victim Lahiru Thirimanne was sent back to the pavilion in just the second ball after an appeal for an lbw required DRS correction to provide the Kiwis an early breakthrough.

    While it looked like Karunaratne and Kusal Perera were steadying the ship, Henry struck twice in successive balls to initiate Sri Lanka’s middle-order collapse.

    Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis were the latest in his line of victims and were dismissed, leaving the Lankans reeling at 46/3.

    Lockie Ferguson took over to finish the job by claiming three wickets but Henry was clearly the game-changer for the Kiwis and was also named the Man of the Match.

    KARUNARATNE, LANKA’S ONLY RAY OF HOPE

    Karunaratne

    By no means would it be an exaggeration to claim that Sri Lanka could have easily been bowled out for an embarrassing double-digit score if not for their skipper’s steadfast half-century.

    Karunaratne was the lone man standing during his team’s collapse, anchoring the innings. He took 84 balls for his 52 runs and remained unbeaten.

    In what was a nightmare game for the Lankans in every department, their captain’s resolute batting which included a 42-run partnership with Kusal Perera was the only saving grace.

    He weathered the storm which was a deadly spell of Trent Boult and Henry bowling in tandem and at one point it seemed like Sri Lanka could reach a respectable total but the latter struck twice to all but confirm their fate.

    LIGHT WORK FOR NEW ZEALAND OPENERS

    Openers Guptill and Munro didn’t break sweat as they eased their way to a winning partnership of 137 runs.

    Guptill smashed 73 runs off 51 balls while his partner reached 48 runs in just 47 balls to ensure that the padded-up Kane Williamson could rest and celebrate the win from the pavilion.

    Guptill went after Lasith Malinga as he helped his team reach the target in less than 17 overs, ensuring the Mumbai Indians pacer finished the game with an economy rate of 9.2 in his five overs.

    Munro was the more pragmatic of the two and played a calm innings, but he did toy with Isuru Udana when presented the opportunity.

    New Zealand’s bowlers deserve the credit for this win but the openers did make a statement with a calm and composed display.

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