*SRILANKA VS NETHERLANDS SUPER SIXES MATCH 2 PREVIEW- ICC WORLDCUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
A mouthwatering clash awaits us as two sides inform with their batters hungry and ready to prove their pedigree with the bat in hand and bowlers ever so inspiring to take control of the game with their wicket taking abilities are set to clash. It’s Srilanka vs Netherlands at Bulawayo, a ground that Srilanka have started to cherish having played all their league stage encounters here and dominated in all.
Srilanka are coming into this fixture having brushed aside all other outfits in their first four games and do not have a lot left to prove other than directly qualifying for the World Cup. Though they were restricted last game to a total under 250, they were smart enough to cover it up with their bowling effort and bundle Scotland out for 163. All SL batters have clicked in the right proportion and probably the only one that is yet to show the right amount of consistency is Kusal Mendis who averages in the 20s even in these qualifiers where the Lankans have had the privilege of going up against relatively weaker outfits. A return to form for their no3 before the main clash of this tournament will be key. Hasaranga on the other hand is another bloke who has taken the limelight and has been able to dismantle oppositions with his variations. Netherlands, known to be a weak side vs spin could be in huge trouble if they fail to attack him.
Netherlands, despite not winning all 4 have alot of pride and momentum backing them. They have come out victorious in their last theee face-offs, the latest one being an absolute edge of the seat thriller vs WestIndies were the Carribean team were defeated in the Super over. Wins like these against top cricketing nations not only boost a team’s morale but do them a world of good in the later stages of the tournament and the Edwards led side would look to take this form alongside them as they look to clash against Srilanka, who have been arguably the strongest side out of the 10 fighting for the two spots.
Scott Edwards, the reputed skipper of the men in orange is averaging over 100 with 217 runs under his belt. Despite depositing just one ball into the stands, he has been striking at 120 and has been an impactful pick for the middle order. His services would be needed against the world class bowling that SL boast of.
A Netherlands win tomorrow will spice up the event and would bring in greater entertainment. Their batters will be put up against a dangerous bowling group of SL which they will have to counter. This promises to be an insane game where a close finish is expected. Which side will triumph over the other?
*NETHERLANDS PROBABLE XI:*
Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Bas De Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards(c)(wk), Saqib Zulfikar, Van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Clayton Floyd, Vivian Kingma
The opening stand between O’Dowd and Vikramjit Singh could be crucial in Netherlands going along way with their scoring. The Srilankan quicks haven’t been the best at the top and the Ned openers could capitalise on that. Both of them have accumulated a fair amount of runs in this tournament with both averaging over 40s. The only thing that is left in their arsenal is a ton and there won’t be any better occasion to achieve it than this one. They would know of the challenges that would come in between given a threatening bowling lineup of Srilanka but if they can deliver up front, it would be a cracking setup to be a good game.
Who can forget the undoubtedly genius-like heroics of Van Beek in the Super over bashing Holdar like he is a club level cricketer and also contributing with an impactful cameo of 28 runs to help Netherlands tie the game. It was a happy little day to cherish for the lower order batter who leaked 77 runs in the same game in the first innings. That is one aspect where he’d like to change his fortunes in an otherwise flawless aura that he has built around himself heading into this crucial fixture.
*SRILANKA PROBABLE XI:*
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(Wk), Sadeera Samawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya DeSilva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha
There is very little that batters have had a chance to do against the Willy leg spin of Hasaranga. He has proven himself to be a destructive force that has what it takes to conquer all batters and run through lineups. He averages under 10 this tournament which is, in itself a crazy stat to know. I see Netherlands batters failing to read his mastery and falling for the trap that he sets. Another iconic and dangerous outing awaits.
How do you conquer a batting lineup where 4/5 players in the Top 5 are averaging over 60? Netherlands will be asked this question in some proportion as they take the field tomorrow. All Lankan batters have fine tuned themselves and are ready to set the stage on fire. They have been consistent, calculative and in simple words- haven’t left alot for the opposition bowlers to do. Sounds like an uphill task to get past this batting lineup because of the majority fails, there will always be one player who will take the team to a commanding score of value. Let’s see what Netherlands have planned.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR NED:*
Highest run getter- Max O’Dowd/Scott Edwards
Highest wicket taker- Van Beek/Clayton Floyd
*FOR SL:*
Highest run getter- Dimuth Karunaratne/Charith Asalanka
Highest wicket taker- Maheesh Theekshana/Wanindu Hasaranga
*FOR THIS GAME:*
SL to win and get off to a positive start in the Super Sixes round.