In this 1997 Pepsi Independence Cup match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at Hyderabad, debutant Shayne O'Connor made an instant impact, dismissing two Sri Lankan stalwarts early on, including Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva. However, despite New Zealand's early breakthroughs, it was Romesh Kaluwitharana's crucial knock that pushed Sri Lanka past 200, followed by a disciplined bowling performance that helped them secure a comfortable 52-run victory.
Match Recap:
Date: May 20, 1997 (day/night)
Venue: Hyderabad
Result: Sri Lanka won by 52 runs
Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat.
International Debuts: Craig McMillan (NZ), Shayne O'Connor (NZ)
Sri Lanka Innings: 212 all out (49.5 overs)
Sri Lanka's innings got off to a rough start, with debutant Shayne O'Connor removing both Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva early. New Zealand’s bowling attack, particularly their slow bowlers, maintained a tight grip on the scoring rate.
Roshan Mahanama (40) tried to steady the innings, but it was Romesh Kaluwitharana, batting at No. 7 after a lean patch, who led the recovery with an important innings of 57. His contribution helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total of 212.
New Zealand Innings: 160 all out (44.4 overs)
New Zealand began their chase well, reaching 96 for two at the halfway mark. However, a turning point came when Stephen Fleming was bowled by Aravinda de Silva while attempting a sweep shot.
Sri Lanka’s slow bowlers, including de Silva, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Kumar Dharmasena, took control of the match, with each taking two wickets to dismantle the Kiwi batting lineup. New Zealand collapsed to 160 all out, falling 52 runs short of the target.
Key Performances:
Romesh Kaluwitharana: A crucial 57 at No. 7, reviving Sri Lanka’s innings after early setbacks.
Shayne O'Connor: Impressive debut, claiming key wickets of Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva.
Aravinda de Silva: Played a dual role, with a valuable contribution in both bat and ball, dismissing Fleming at a critical moment.
New Zealand’s spinners: Dipak Patel and Gavin Larsen restricted Sri Lanka’s scoring with disciplined bowling.
Match Outcome: Sri Lanka won by 52 runs, thanks to Kaluwitharana's valuable knock and a controlled bowling effort by their spinners.
Man of the Match: Romesh Kaluwitharana, for his match-saving 57.
Watch the highlights of this intense contest as Sri Lanka's spinners and Kaluwitharana's fighting knock sink New Zealand in Hyderabad. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more cricket recaps!
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25 сен 2024
