New Delhi: The runner-ups of the last two editions of the World Cup, New Zealand, will be going up against already eliminated Sri Lanka in match number 41, of the ICC World Cup 2023 at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday.
The match can also be called a virtual quarterfinal, as a loss on Thursday might result in them getting eliminated from the World Cup.
The black caps are currently number 4 in the points table and have equal 8 points in 8 matches as Pakistan and Afghanistan, and they only edge them out on the basis of net run rate.
If they manage to win against Sri Lanka, they will end up with 10 points and would enjoy a comparatively easier permutation and combination, in order to qualify for the final four.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s loss against Bangladesh has put them in the ninth position and if they need to finish in the top 8 if they want to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
As the Kiwis aim for a potential ticket to the semi-finals, their final obstacle is Sri Lanka! 👊🏻
Will #NZ go through or will #SL spoil their party? 👀
Tune-in to #NZvSL in #WorldCupOnStar
Today, 12:30 PM | Star Sports Network#CWC23 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/nh0ntTXCm1— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 9, 2023
Journey so far
The journey of the New Zealand team can be termed as an extreme roller coaster ride.
They started their campaign by winning four matches in a row against England, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan by 9 wickets, 99 runs, 8 wickets and 149 runs, respectively.
They were at one time sitting at the top of the points table, and everyone expected them to easily qualify for the semifinals, but after the first four games, nothing went right for them as they lost all their next four games against India by 4 wickets, Australia by 5 runs, South Africa by 190 runs and Pakistan by 21 runs, and now are on the verge of getting eliminated from the tournament.
Interestingly, a win on Thursday, will not immediately result in them getting the ‘Q’ in front of their name but surely would result in much easier scenarios to hope for, to qualify.
New Zealand’s Bengaluru boy Rachin Ravindra has already got a WC hundred at the Chinnaswamy!
He’ll have another crack at it today #CWC23 #NZvSL
(Credit: @StarSportsIndia) pic.twitter.com/BTXydF1eUe
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 9, 2023
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, except for a few things, has seen absolutely nothing going their way. They took the most number of matches to open their account as they lost their first three matches against South Africa, Pakistan and Australia by 102 runs, 6 wickets and 5 wickets respectively.
They made a comeback by winning two back-to-back games against Netherlands and England by 5 wickets and 8 wickets, respectively, and that were their only moments to shine in the tournament as they once again went on a 3-match losing streak, courtesy of, Afghanistan, India and Bangladesh by 7 wickets, 302 runs and 3 wickets, to see themselves getting eliminated from the tournament.
Sri Lanka faces off against New Zealand in Match 41 of the #CWC23 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. 🇱🇰🆚🇳🇿 #SLvNZ #LankanLions pic.twitter.com/YWFn2jbMcr
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) November 9, 2023
However, the match against New Zealand will not be a dead rubber for them as in order to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy. They have to win this match and make their comeback in the top 8.
Head-to-head records
If we look at the head-to-head records of the two teams, they have faced each other 101 times before in the ODIs in which New Zealand have won 51 of them, and Sri Lanka has emerged victorious in 41 of them. 8 matches between the two teams have finished in no contest, while 1 match ended in a tie.
And yet again it’s Madhushanka with a PP wicket 🔥#SLvsBAN #CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/Ss6KH06Of4
— Rahul Kumar (@rahulk_1019) November 6, 2023
The records in the World Cups are quite different as in World Cups. It is the Sri Lankan Lions who lead against the black caps with a small margin of 6 to 5.
Top performers
New Zealand
Batsman: Rachin Ravindra- 523 runs
Chinnaswamy crowd’s “Rachin….Rachin” for the local boy @Rachin_Ravindra 🤩❤️ #PAKvsNZ #ICCCricketWorldCup23 pic.twitter.com/ighIYhIgPt
— trushit trivedi (@trushit_trivedi) November 4, 2023
Bowler: Mitchell Santner- 14 wickets
Mitchell Santner with a stunner…!!!
Trent Boult picks up a wicket on return. pic.twitter.com/OoHDr3xdhk
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 10, 2023
Sri Lanka
Batsman: Sadeera Samarawickrama- 372 runs
Sri Lanka are getting a move on, courtesy of Sadeera Samarawickrama 👌#CWC23 #BANvSL pic.twitter.com/vhx9gFaI1A
— Dr Syed Hassan Raza Mashadi-CBA🌸 (@Dr_HassanRaza24) November 6, 2023
Bowler: Dilshan Madhushanka- 21 wickets
Fifth wicket of the day for Dilshan Madhushanka. He’s held the fort alone for Sri Lanka.#CWC23 #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/KFgUSAB80X
— Cricadium CRICKET (@Cricadium) November 2, 2023
