NL vs SL Match Preview
Scott Edwards led his team from the front and scripted a remarkable innings after a top and middle order collapse. The Netherlands lost 7 wickets for just 145 runs. Edwards, who remained unbeaten on 78, put up valuable partnerships with Roelof van der Merwe and Aryan Dutt, helping his team register a daunting total of 245 in a rain-curtailed match.
The team's star batsman, Max O'Dowd, hasn't been in the best of forms, but his opening partner, Vikramjit Singh, and the all-rounders, including Logan van Beek and Colin Ackermann, have shown flashes of brilliance. They will play a key role if the team wants to build up on its winning momentum.
The pace attack, consisting of Bas De Leede, Paul van Meekeren, and van Beeke, is in good form, picking up 16 wickets between them. However, they have been quite expensive at times and will need to bowl a better line and length.
Roelof van der Merwe, who has picked up 2 wickets in both of his last outings, will lead the spin attack alongside Aryan Dutt.
Despite the team's overall poor form, there have been some positive aspects for the Sri Lankan team. Kusal Mendis, who has taken over as captain in the absence of Dasun Shanaka, has been performing well with the bat and will be a crucial player in the middle order alongside Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Pathum Nissanka has also shown promise in the opening slot, scoring consecutive half-centuries leading up to this match. However, Sri Lanka's batting depth remains a concern for the team. Additionally, the performances of all-rounders Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, and Dunith Wellalage have been inconsistent.
In terms of bowling, only Dilshan Madushanka has made a significant impact. Matheesha Pathirana struggled in the first two matches, conceding close to 10 runs per over, and was replaced by Lahiru Kumara in the last match, who also struggled. Furthermore, Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana, who performed well in the Asia Cup, have been unable to take wickets in this tournament. The bowlers will need to improve their form if Sri Lanka hopes to return to winning ways.
Weather Report
The weather is expected to be bright and sunny with temperatures between 27 and 31 degrees Celsius.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Lucknow is a bit of a mixed bag. While South Africa scored 311 runs here in the first match, Australia and Sri Lanka have struggled to reach even the 200-run mark. The surface is expected to be a bit damp and has some covering of grass.
The batsmen will need to settle down before they can start playing the big shots. While the average first-inning score is around 210, teams batting first will look to get at least 270 on the board.
Notable stats
Mystery Spin to Win?
Maheesh Theekshana has an excellent record against the Netherlands. In the two OFIs he has played against them, Theekshana has picked up 7 wickets at an average of 8.86 and a strike rate of 13.29.
Team News
There are no updates regarding injuries from either side.
NL vs SL Probable 11
NL Playing 11
- Vikramjit Singh
- Max O’Dowd
- Scott Edwards (C)
- Logan van Beek
- Bas de Leede
- Colin Ackermann
- Roelof van der Merwe
- Paul van Meekeren
- Aryan Dutt
- Teja Nidamanuru
- Sybrand Engelbrecht
SL Playing 11
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kusal Perera
- Kusal Mendis (C)
- Chamika Karunaratne
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Charith Asalanka
- Sadeera Samarawickrama
- Dunith Wellalage
- Dilshan Madushanka
- Lahiru Kumara
- Maheesh Theekshana
Dream11 Prediction
We are backing Sri Lanka to win this match. Their unbeaten record against the Netherlands should give them plenty of confidence going into this contest. That said, the win against South Africa will act as a catalyst for the Netherlands who will be raring to stage another upset.
Top Picks
Pathum Nissanka: Pathum Nissanka is Sri Lanka’s top run-getter this year. He has scored 931 runs at an average of 44.33 and his knocks include 7 half-centuries and 2 centuries.
Kusal Mendis: Kusal Mendis is a vital cog in the Sri Lankan batting line-up. He has 5 50+ scores in his last 8 innings.
Bas de Leede: A quality all-rounder, de Leede scored 41 runs and picked up 3 wickets when he last faced Sri Lanka in the World Cup Qualifiers.
NL vs SL Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: K Mendis (C), S Samarwickrama, S Edwards
Batters: P Nissanka, C Asalanka
All-rounders: B de Leede (VC), C Ackermann
Bowlers: M Theekshana, L van Beek, P van Meekeren, D Madushanka
