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Netherlands is a wonderful team; each and every match that they have played so far has almost been a close one. It is clear that they don't like being called the underdogs of the tournament; their performance shows how dangerous they can turn out to be.
Netherlands won the toss today and elected to bat first; half the team collapsed in 18 overs (the score was 71-5). To everyone's surprise, they went from 71-5 to 91-6 and then absolutely accelerated. The low-order batsmens did a phenomenal job in taking the score to 262 runs, setting a target of 263 for Sri Lanka.
Watch the entire match highlights on the official ICC World Cup website: https://www.cricketworldcup.com/video/3744900
It was far from a one-sided match due to the fighting total.
Netherlands bowled really well in the opening spell and took a few crucial wickets that put pressure on Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lanka's slow and steady chase allowed them to seal a victory in 48.2 overs. Thus, claiming a 5 wicket win.
Sri Lanka faces England next on 26th October.
Post Match interviews
Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka captain)
"Very happy today, winning our first match of the WC," Mendis said as quoted by cricbuzz.com. "Bowlers did well in the first 10 overs.
Rajitha and DIlshan bowled really well. 280 would've been enough on this pitch maybe. It was turning at the end. Sadeera batted really well. Rajitha had only three overs left so that's why I took him off. Sadeera and Asalanka batted really well.
Lots of positive things.
Scott Edwards (Netherland's captain)
"We obviously didn't start well," Edwards said as quoted by cricbuzz.com. "I thought we got ourselves to what was a pretty competitive total. Our first 30 overs - we just didn't get it right.
Leaked too many boundary balls. Didn't field that well either. Our bowlers have been good for us throughout the tournament, but our top order and our bowlers let us down today. Don't know if we would change too much. Just want to execute better.
Had a feeling it would turn later. Aryan turns it a bit more generally than other spinners. He bowled exceptionally well. Our batting hasn't quite clicked yet. Got a few too many starts but haven't kicked on. Not too bothered either way (batting first or second). Not too stressed about the toss".