Santner and Ravindra Power New Zealand Past Sri Lanka to Sustain Semifinal Push
COLOMBO – New Zealand revived their T20 World Cup campaign with a clinical 61-run victory over Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday. Facing elimination in the Super Eight phase, the Black Caps overcame a staggering middle-order collapse through a counter-attacking partnership between Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie, before the bowling unit, led by Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry, dismantled the Sri Lankan chase.
The victory ensures New Zealand remains in contention for a semifinal berth, while Sri Lanka’s tournament hopes have officially ended despite a resilient showing from their home crowd.
Santner and McConchie Rescue Precarious Innings
Put in to bat on a surface offering variable bounce, New Zealand appeared to be unraveling during the middle overs. Despite an aggressive start by Finn Allen and steady rotation from Rachin Ravindra, the introduction of Sri Lankan spin changed the complexion of the first innings.
Maheesh Theekshana (3/30) utilized pace variations to stifle scoring, triggering a collapse that saw New Zealand slide from a comfortable 75/2 to a perilous 84/6 in just nine deliveries. Ravindra, Mark Chapman, and Daryl Mitchell fell in quick succession, leaving the visitors exposed.
Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie arrested the slide with a decisive 84-run stand off 47 balls. Prioritizing survival before aggression, the pair targeted the short leg-side boundary in the final four overs, plundering 70 runs to lift the total to a competitive 168/7.
- Mitchell Santner: 47 runs off 26 balls (Anchored the death overs)
- Cole McConchie: 31 not out (Key support role)
- Partnership: 84 runs (7th wicket)
Ravindra Spins a Web as Henry Strikes Early
Defending 168, New Zealand’s bowlers applied immediate pressure. Pacer Matt Henry delivered a textbook seam bowling performance, removing Pathum Nissanka with a delivery that jagged back to hit middle stump on the very first ball of the innings. Henry followed up with a wicket maiden and the dismissal of Charith Asalanka, reducing Sri Lanka to 20/2 in the powerplay—their lowest powerplay score of the tournament.
While Henry provided the initial breakthroughs, Rachin Ravindra decimated the middle order. The left-arm spinner utilized flight and drift to lure batters out of their creases, resulting in stumpings for both Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake. Ravindra finished with career-best figures of 4/27, effectively ending Sri Lanka’s resistance.
Match Statistics Summary
| Category | New Zealand | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 168/7 (20 overs) | 107/8 (20 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Mitchell Santner (47) | Kamindu Mendis (31) |
| Best Bowler | Rachin Ravindra (4/27) | Maheesh Theekshana (3/30) |
| Result | New Zealand won by 61 runs | |
Super Eight Implications
The result clarifies the path forward for New Zealand. To secure a semifinal spot, they must rely on their blueprint of early wickets and deep batting partnerships. For Sri Lanka, the loss marks the end of their World Cup run, though the atmosphere at R Premadasa Stadium remained festive as fans supported their team until the final delivery.
For official standings and tournament schedules, visit the International Cricket Council (ICC) or follow updates on ESPNcricinfo.