SL ends the WC with a defeat

An incredible bowling performance followed by an 86-run opening stand built the base for New Zealand's important victory over Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

If the build-up to the clash was about the weather, it soon didn't matter as much as the New Zealand quicks ran amok in Bengaluru. 

Kusal Perera stood out as the lone warrior in the Powerplay for Sri Lanka even as four of his mates perished in quick succession to some quality bowling from the Kiwis' new-ball bowlers.

Sri Lanka's hopes of Perera salvaging them from the ruckus fell in the Powerplay itself when Lockie Ferguson snared him with the left-hander attempting a big hit over the off-side.

Reduced to 70/5, Sri Lanka needed the experience of Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva to save them, but Mitchell Santner stepped in, sending back the duo in successive overs to put the Blackcaps well and truly on top. They eventually ambled along to 171, but New Zealand's rousing start with the bat all but sealed the contest.