ICC World Cup 2019: Match 3, NZ v SL – New Zealand Player Ratings

Just like the Windies-Pakistan match, the encounter between New Zealand and Sri Lanka finished like a breeze. It was a lop-sided affair. A majority of this match was done even before the second match of the sport between Afghanistan and Australia actually began. Sri Lanka was considered to be a weak side before the tournament began. But no one really expected them to display under-par performance.

The team was put into bat first and the batsmen were tested straightaway by the Kiwi bowlers. Matt Henry meant business right from ball one and broke through the top order of the opposition. Kusal Perera looked the best of the Sri Lankan batsmen. But he couldn’t really kick on and make it big. Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was lucky early on when a delivery clipped the bails but they didn’t fall off.

He ensured that he carried his bat right through and was unbeaten on 52 off 84 balls. Apart from Perera and Karunaratne, Thisara Perera was the only other player who got to the double figures. He scored 27 runs off 23 deliveries before he got out. For New Zealand, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson picked up three wickets each while all the other bowlers accounted for one scalp each.

The openers accomplish the job for New Zealand

New Zealand openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro got the side off to a good start. Furthermore, they ensured that they make the most of the good start they got. The duo completed the chase without losing even a single wicket. While Guptill was unbeaten on 73 off 51 deliveries, his partner scored 58 runs. The target was chased down in just 16.1 overs and got the Blackcaps off to a winning start in the tournament.

Here are the New Zealand Player Ratings for the match

Martin Guptill – 9/10

Martin Guptill took the attack to the opposition bowlers in this match and found some touch back before the big games ahead. He fancied the big shots and scored at a strike rate of 143. The 32-year-old smashed 8 fours and 2 sixes in his innings.

Colin Munro – 8.5/10

Colin Munro played the perfect second fiddle to Guptill. He pounced on the loose deliveries and scored at a brisk pace. Munro scored 58 runs off 47 balls in a knock that witnessed 6 fours and 1 six.

Kane Williamson – 1.5/10

Even though Kane Williamson had nothing to do with the bat, he was spot on with his captaincy. He set attacking fields right through the innings and utilised his bowling resources extremely well.

Ross Taylor – Not Assigned

Ross Taylor didn’t have much to do in this match and thus is not given any rating.

Tom Latham – 1/10

Tom Latham, returning from his injury, was good behind the stumps. He took a regulation catch to dismiss Angelo Mathews and didn’t have much to do with the bat.

James Neesham – 2/10

James Neesham bowled three overs in the game and conceded 21 runs at an economy rate of 7. He was lucky to have got the wicket of Isuru Udana, which was quite a soft dismissal.

Colin de Grandhomme – 4/10

Although Colin de Grandhomme was slightly expensive in the two overs that he bowled, he managed to trap the big fish, Angelo Mathews and sent him back into the pavilion for a duck. The delivery he bowled to dismiss the Sri Lankan veteran was an absolute peach.

Mitchell Santner – 4/10

Mitchell Santner bowled just two overs in the innings and dismissed the dangerous Thisara Perera. He only conceded 5 runs in his spell.

Matt Henry – 9/10

Dismissing three top-order batsmen within the first powerplay is usually quite tough. And for one bowler to do it all by himself is quite a commendable effort. Matt Henry trapped Lahiru Thirimanne LBW right in the first over. Once again in the ninth over of the innings, he dismissed both Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis off consecutive deliveries putting the opposition under pressure.

Lockie Ferguson – 8.5/10

Lockie Ferguson bowled his heart out in this match. He ran in hard ball after ball and consistently hit the high 140s. The inexperienced Sri Lankan middle order batsmen were all rushed by his bowling and seemed extremely uncomfortable. Ferguson dismissed the likes of Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeevan Mendis, and Lasith Malinga.

Trent Boult – 5/10

Trent Boult bowled quick and hit great areas. He tested the batsmen by swinging the ball either ways but was unfortunate not to have dismissed Karunaratne. The left-arm pacer pouched one catch and dismissed Suranga Lakmal in the innings.