New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Kiwis Romp Home To 5 Wicket-Win; Surge Ahead In Semi-Finals Race - As It Happened

New Zealand needed to win by a handsome margin to virtually assure themselves of a semi-final spot in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, and they have done exactly that. Powered by a disciplined bowling performance led by pace spearhead Trent Boult, the Kiwis have defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets, with more than 26 overs to spare in Bengaluru. Boult and Co skittled the Lankans for a paltry 171 in the first innings, and then the batters came out all guns blazing to ensure an early victory that boosted their net run rate. This means Pakistan now need to win by a miraculously big margin against England to make the semis cut. Catch all the highlights from NZ vs SL, the Match 41 of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. (Scorecard | Match Report | Full Coverage)

7:50pm: NZ Win By 5 Wickets!
Done and dusted. New Zealand were steadfast in their approach of knocking away the runs quickly, even if that meant losing some wickets. And they have romped home in the 24th over, which has pushed their net run rate up to 0.743. Glenn Phillips hits the winning runs for the Kiwis, hitting back-to-back boundaries to seal the deal.

7:25pm: NZ 144/3 - Overs 11-20 Highlights
Sri Lanka have tried to fight back, and dismissed the Kiwi top three of Conway, Rachin and captain Kane Williamson. But NZ have motored along on nevertheless, ensuring that they are well ahead of the DLS score if it begins to rain. As 20 overs have been completed, a result is guaranteed and it looks most likely to be in favour of New Zealand. They now need just 28 more runs to win.   

6:35pm: NZ 73/0 - Overs 1-10 Highlights
As expected, Conway (44 off 37 balls) and Ravindra (29 off 23) have blazed away to a quickfire start in the Kiwi innings. The openers have wasted no time in whittling down the target, and just 99 runs more remain to be scored at the end of 10 overs. The duo have already hit 11 fours and two sixes to make their intentions abundantly clear. Remember, 20 overs need to be completed for it to constitute as a completed game if rain intervenes. 

5:52pm: NZ Innings Begins
Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra are in the middle for New Zealand in their quest of a spot in the semi-finals. The duo will no doubt be looking to start in a manner that puts them ahead of the DLS par score, with rain forecast ahead. Sri Lanka's in-form left-arm medium pacer Dilshan Madushanka has the brand new white ball in hand. Conway find the fence off the third ball of the innings to get things rolling.  

5:22pm: SL All Out For 171
And that's that. The resistance finally ends as Rachin Ravindra induced a snick off Madushanka's blade which Latham latches onto, to wrap up the Lankan innings. Rachin gets his second, and the Kiwi bowlers leave a happy bunch for having done the job well. Their batters will now be looking to finish things clinically before rain comes pouring down.

4:55pm: SL 155/9 - Overs 31-40 Highlights
Young Rachin Ravindra joins the party and picks up Dushmantha Chameera's wicket right after the drink break. Though tottering, the Sri Lanka lower order is showing some resilience - Theekshana in particular, who is unbeaten on 31. The off-spinner is now looking to stitch together a partnership with Dilshan Madushanka for the 10th wicket. Let's see how long this lasts.

4:15pm: SL 125/8 - Overs 21-30 Highlights
Lockie Ferguson picks his second wicket off the match, dismissing Chamika Karunaratne with a full and fast ball that induces an outside ege through to wicketkeeper Tom Latham. Run scoring has completely ebbed since then, as Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera have added just 12 runs off 38 balls. New Zealand are all over Sri Lanka at the moment and are putting their best foot forward for a semi-final berth, unless rain gods are cruel to them. 

3:38pm: SL 111/7 - Overs 11-20 Highlights
The Kiwis continue to make inroads, and have plugged away with two more wickets of Angelo Mathews, who was 'Timed Out' in the previous game, and Dhananjay de Sliva. Left-arm spinner Mitchell accounted for both of them with edges to Daryl Mitchell at slip. Chamika Karunaratne and Maheesh Theekshana now at the crease, hoping to prolong the innings.   

2:55 PM: Fifty Up For Boult! 
Trent Boult becomes the first New Zealander to take 50 wickets in the ICC Cricket World Cup! Tim Southee the next-best on the list with 38. What a dream pairing they have been for the Blackcaps.

2:48 PM: Danger-man Perera Walks 
Sri Lanka's batting has collapsed on itself - and hard. Moments after racing to his half-century, set batter Kusal Perera has to walk back to the pavilion. Perera attempts to go big off Lockie Ferguson but mistimes his attempt and is caught comfortable by Mitchell Santner. SL - 70/5 after 9.3 overs. 

2:43 PM: Successful Review By NZ
Perera's fifty only a brief reprieve for Sri Lanka as Boult gets his third: Charith Assalanka walks back to the pavilion upon a successful review by New Zealand. After the umpire hesitates in lifting his finger, Kane Williamson goes upstairs and gets his way, with Assalanka's leg clearly blocking the ball before the wicket. SL - 70/4 after 8.2. 

2:37 PM: Kusal Perera reaches 50 
Dropped early in the match by Tom Latham, Kusal Perera has raced to his half century in just 22 balls. The Sri Lankan opener is putting on a show in Bengaluru, hitting the fastest 50 by any player against New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup history. Sri Lanka - 70/3 after eight overs. 

2:26 PM: Boult Strikes AGAIN! 
It's all going New Zealand's way early on here in Bengaluru. Trent Boult gets his second of the over and the match as danger-man Sadeera Samarawickrama walks back after being caught by Daryl Mitchell at the slip. SL - 32/3 after 4.4. 

2:22 PM: Sri Lanka TWO down!
Just when it looked like the two Kusals had steadied the Lankan ship, Mendis goes on and gives his wicket to Trent Boult. The Sri Lankan captain is caught by Rachin Ravindra and Sri Lanka are struggling already. Mendis walks back with six in seven; SL - 30/2 with 4.1 overs played. 

2:10 PM: AND GONE! 
Tim Southee strikes first: the veteran's outstanding delivery gets Pathum Nissanka early. A massive disappointment for the Lions right from the get go. Sri Lanka - 3/1 after two overs. 

2:05 PM: Slow Start For Sri Lanka 
Just a run off the first over for Sri Lanka, but the good news is that the sun is shining brightly over Bengaluru for now! There is hope that this match will go all the way.

2:00 PM: Here We Go! 
The fields are set, the batters are in their creases, skies clear for now, and so we begin! 

1:55 PM: National Anthems Time! 
We are all set here in Bengaluru, with the two National Anthems belting out of the loudspeakers. Not long to go till this one kicks off! 

1:50 PM: Pitch Report 
It's a batting pitch here at the Chinnaswamy, one that is primed for a big score as proved by New Zealand themselves in their previous match against Pakistan. However, the dyanmic weather of Bengaluru - with the threat of rain always in the air - favours the chasers, a fact underlined by both captains' desire to bowl first. We'll see how it plays out. 

1:40 PM: Playing XIs
New Zealand
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (C), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (C) Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

1:37 PM: Captains' Comments 
"A little bit of weather around. A few unknowns," says Kane Williamson. "Our focus has been on the type of cricket we want to play. Hopefully we can make a few improvements on past performances. Those games could have gone either ways. Conditions change, that's life. Important to address what's in front. Lockie Ferguson in for Ish Sodhi. The pitch looks a bit different to the last one."

"We wanted to bowl first," says Kusal Mendis. "We have played good cricket, will look to put a good total on the board. Very important game for us today. New Zealand is a very calm team, no pressure after our last game. [On returning to a ground where they beat England] Hope we do well. Kasun Rajitha is out, Chamika Karunaratne is in."

1:35 PM: Toss! 
Heads is the call but the coin shows Tails: New Zealand win the toss and elect to field first, perhaps, due to the spectre of rain looming in the background. Sri Lanka to bat first. 

1:25 PM: Semi-final Race 
A win would all but confirm New Zealand's spot in the semis - the greater the margin the better. But a loss would open up the race to Pakistan and Afghanistan, who could then overtake the Blackcaps if they win their respective matches. It's going right down to the wire folks! 

1:18 PM: Sri Lanka Arrives At The Chinnaswamy

1:15 PM: ICYMI - What happened with Angelo Mathews? 
Sri Lankan batter Angelo Mathews became the first crickter to be declared 'Timed Out' in international cricket, after he failed to appear on the crease within the decided time-limit. A highly controversial decision, it sparked yet another discussion over the legality and morality of the sport which prides itself on being the game of gentlemen. 

With that in mind, here are all the legal methods a batsman can be declared out in a cricket match: 

Angelo Mathews Timed Out: Here Are Other Modes Of Dismissals In Cricket

1:05 PM: Weather Update 
Report from the grounds are positive. Despite the forecast predicting rain, Bengaluru is currently enjoying clear skies, with the match likely to commence on time. Good news for New Zealand, but bad news for Pakistan AND Afghanistan!

12:50 PM: Weather Conditions 
Scattered thunderstorms could greet the players as they take to the pitch in Bengaluru on Thursday, November 9, with a 100 per cent chance of rain and 76 per cent humidity. The temperature is expected to be on the cooler side, with 26-27 degree celsius likely to sustain during the key hours of the match.

12: 40 PM: Head-to-head
New Zealand and Sri Lanka have played each other 101 times in One Day Internations, with the former winning 51 games, the latter 41, and eight ending without a conclusive result. 

12:30 PM: Preview! 
Rain washed away New Zealand's chances of confirming a spot in the semi-finals last time around; unluckily for the Blackcaps, an overcast Bengaluru awaits their crunch match against Sri Lanka, yet again. Sri Lanka have already been knocked out of the semi-finals race. The Lankan Lions spurned the chance to move closer to the chasing pack following a controversial defeat against Bangladesh and are now prepared to return home amid ongoing uncertainty in the country's cricket board.

New Zealand batted bravely to record a 400+ total against Pakistan in their previous match, beliving it to be enough to take them through to the next round. Bengaluru, however, had other ideas, as pouring rain washed the match away, presenting Pakistan with a win courtesy of the DLS method. With just one knockout berth left to secure - and three teams fighting for it - it's now or never for the back-to-back finalists. 

Like Angelo Mathews against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka's ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign came to a premature end following their defeat against the same side. With nothing left to play for but pride, the Lankan Lions enter the match with a positive outlook, despite the changes going on back home, hoping to use the momentum from a win to push onward. 

Squads
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
Sri Lanka Squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne