Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Netherlands’ skipper Scott Edwards with a brilliant delivery in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 match. The Netherlands entered the match with the confidence of having beaten the strong title contenders, South Africa, in their previous game in Dharamsala. On the other hand, the Kusal Mendis-led team is the only one yet to secure their first victory in the marquee event.
The Netherlands won the toss and chose to bat first in the 19th match of the tournament at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, October 21. However, Scott Edwards’s decision backfired as the team lost their six wickets with less than 100 runs on the board. Sri Lankan pacer Kasun Rajitha ran through the opposition order, taking three wickets in his seven-over spell. Rajitha dismissed the top three batters, Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, and Colin Ackermann.
WATCH – Australian Fan Chants ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ At M. Chinnaswamy Stadium In Bengaluru
The Dutch team lost their three wickets for 54 runs in 12 overs. Dilshan Madushanka went wicketless in his first spell but managed to claim two scalps in his second. The left-arm pacer picked up the wickets of middle-order batters Bas de Leede and Teja Nidamanuru, limiting the opposing team to 71 for the loss of five wickets.
Maheesh Theekshana bowled an absolute peach to dismiss inform batter, Scott Edwards. The ball dipped, spun sharply, and took an inside edge before crashing into the stumps. Edwards managed to score just 16 runs off 16 deliveries before being dismissed. Theekshana’s dismissal of Edwards was a key moment in the match, as it prevented the Netherlands skipper from building a partnership and guiding his team to a competitive total.
ALSO READ: Kuldeep Yadav Hails Bumrah and Siraj for India’s Perfect Start in World Cup 2023
Sri Lanka went on to win the match by 6 wickets, with Theekshana finishing with figures of 2-26. Theekshana’s performance in the match was a welcome boost for Sri Lanka, who have been struggling to find consistency in the tournament. Theekshana is a talented young spinner, and his performance against the Netherlands will give Sri Lanka confidence ahead of their upcoming matches.
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
Netherlands (Playing XI): Vikramjit Singh, Max ODowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards(w/c), Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren
