Cricket is more than just a game in many parts of the world—it’s a passion, a celebration, and sometimes, a rollercoaster of emotions. When the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Netherlands National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, fans are treated to a fascinating clash of styles, determination, and skill. While Sri Lanka boasts a rich cricketing history with iconic players and World Cup triumphs, the Netherlands, an associate nation, brings grit, talent, and an underdog spirit that can surprise even the best teams. In this article, we’ll dive into the details of a memorable match between these two sides, breaking down the scorecard, key moments, and what made the game special. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or someone just dipping their toes into the sport, this breakdown is written to be engaging, clear, and easy to follow.
The Context: Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Netherlands National Cricket Team Match Scorecard in ICC Tournaments
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Netherlands National Cricket Team Match Scorecard have faced off in several international matches, particularly in ICC events like the Cricket World Cup and the T20 World Cup. While Sri Lanka is a full-member nation with a legacy of producing world-class players like Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, and Lasith Malinga, the Netherlands has steadily grown as a competitive associate nation. The Dutch team has earned respect for their disciplined bowling, spirited batting, and never-say-die attitude, often punching above their weight against stronger opponents.
One of the most notable encounters between these two teams was during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on June 16, 2024, at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. This match, the 38th of the tournament, was a Group D clash that showcased Sri Lanka’s dominance and the Netherlands’ resilience. Let’s break down the scorecard and relive the excitement of this game.
Match Overview: Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Netherlands National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, T20 World Cup 2024
The match took place in a high-stakes group stage, with Sri Lanka aiming to solidify their position and the Netherlands looking to cause an upset. Sri Lanka batted first, posting a formidable total, while the Netherlands fought hard but fell short in their chase. The final result saw Sri Lanka winning by 83 runs, a comprehensive victory that highlighted their batting prowess and bowling discipline. Below, we’ll dive into the detailed scorecard, player performances, and key moments that shaped the game.
Sri Lanka Innings: A Power-Packed Batting Display
Sri Lanka’s batting lineup was in fine form, capitalizing on the batting-friendly conditions at Gros Islet. They posted a total of 201/6 in 20 overs, a challenging score in T20 cricket. Here’s a look at how their innings unfolded:
Sri Lanka Batting Scorecard
|
Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pathum Nissanka |
46 | 36 | 5 | 1 | 127.78 |
c Edwards b van Beek |
|
Kusal Mendis (wk) |
46 | 29 | 5 | 0 | 158.62 |
c van Beek b Dutt |
|
Kamindu Mendis |
17 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 121.43 |
c van der Merwe b van Beek |
|
Dhananjaya de Silva |
34 | 26 | 3 | 1 | 130.77 |
c Engelbrecht b van Meekeren |
|
Charith Asalanka |
46 | 21 | 1 | 5 | 219.05 |
c Edwards b van Beek |
|
Angelo Mathews |
30* | 15 | 1 | 2 | 200.00 |
Not Out |
|
Dasun Shanaka |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
c van der Merwe b van Meekeren |
|
Wanindu Hasaranga (c) |
0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Not Out |
|
Extras |
8 |
(lb 2, w 5, nb 1) |
||||
|
Total |
201/6 (20 overs) |
RR: 10.05 |
Fall of Wickets:
-
1-84 (Kusal Mendis, 8.5 overs)
-
2-98 (Pathum Nissanka, 10.5 overs)
-
3-117 (Kamindu Mendis, 13.2 overs)
-
4-130 (Dhananjaya de Silva, 15.2 overs)
-
5-200 (Charith Asalanka, 19.4 overs)
-
6-201 (Dasun Shanaka, 19.5 overs)
Key Performances in Sri Lanka’s Innings
-
Charith Asalanka’s Explosive Finish: Asalanka’s 46 off 21 balls, including five sixes, was a game-changer. His aggressive strokeplay in the death overs propelled Sri Lanka past the 200-run mark, setting a daunting target.
-
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis’ Solid Start: The opening pair laid a strong foundation with an 84-run partnership. Both scored 46 runs each, with Mendis’ strike rate of 158.62 showcasing his attacking intent.
-
Angelo Mathews’ Late Flourish: Mathews’ unbeaten 30 off 15 balls, with two sixes, added crucial runs in the final overs, ensuring Sri Lanka ended with a flourish.
Netherlands’ Bowling Efforts
The Dutch bowlers struggled to contain Sri Lanka’s batsmen, but they did manage to take six wickets. Logan van Beek was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/45 in 4 overs. Paul van Meekeren and Aryan Dutt also chipped in with wickets, but the high run rate and frequent boundaries made it tough for the Netherlands to control the game.
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vivian Kingma |
4 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 9.25 |
|
Logan van Beek |
4 | 0 | 45 | 3 | 11.25 |
|
Paul van Meekeren |
4 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 9.25 |
|
Aryan Dutt |
4 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 9.75 |
|
Tim Pringle |
4 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 10.25 |
Netherlands Innings: A Valiant Chase Falls Short
Chasing 202 was always going to be a tall order for the Netherlands, especially against Sri Lanka’s potent bowling attack. The Dutch managed 118/10 in 16.4 overs, falling 83 runs short. Here’s how their innings panned out:
Netherlands Batting Scorecard
|
Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Michael Levitt |
31 | 23 | 2 | 3 | 134.78 |
st Kusal Mendis b Theekshana |
|
Max O’Dowd |
11 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 137.50 |
c Pathum Nissanka b Thushara |
|
Vikramjit Singh |
7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 70.00 |
c Pathum Nissanka b Shanaka |
|
Sybrand Engelbrecht |
11 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 122.22 |
c Asalanka b Pathirana |
|
Scott Edwards (c, wk) |
31 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 129.17 |
c Theekshana b Thushara |
|
Bas de Leede |
3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
c Asalanka b Hasaranga |
|
Logan van Beek |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
run out (Kusal Mendis) |
|
Tim Pringle |
2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
st Kusal Mendis b Hasaranga |
|
Aryan Dutt |
10 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 |
b Pathirana |
|
Paul van Meekeren |
3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 37.50 |
lbw b Thushara |
|
Vivian Kingma |
1* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
Not Out |
|
Extras |
8 |
(lb 2, w 5, nb 1) |
||||
|
Total |
118/10 (16.4 overs) |
RR: 7.08 |
Fall of Wickets:
-
1-45 (Max O’Dowd, 4.3 overs)
-
2-47 (Michael Levitt, 5.5 overs)
-
3-62 (Vikramjit Singh, 7.3 overs)
-
4-68 (Sybrand Engelbrecht, 8.3 overs)
-
5-71 (Bas de Leede, 9.4 overs)
-
6-71 (Logan van Beek, 9.5 overs)
-
7-82 (Tim Pringle, 11.5 overs)
-
8-99 (Aryan Dutt, 14.1 overs)
-
9-117 (Scott Edwards, 16.2 overs)
-
10-118 (Paul van Meekeren, 16.4 overs)
Key Performances in Netherlands’ Innings
-
Michael Levitt’s Promising Start: Levitt’s 31 off 23 balls, with three sixes, gave the Netherlands hope early on. His aggressive approach kept the run rate competitive before he was stumped.
-
Scott Edwards’ Fighting Knock: The Dutch captain scored 31 off 24 balls, trying to anchor the innings, but lacked support as wickets fell around him.
-
Middle-Order Collapse: The Netherlands lost quick wickets between overs 8 and 10, going from 68/3 to 71/6, which effectively ended their chances of a comeback.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Masterclass
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were relentless, with Nuwan Thushara leading the charge. His pace and variations accounted for three crucial wickets, including the final blow to dismiss Paul van Meekeren.
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Angelo Mathews |
2 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 10.00 |
|
Nuwan Thushara |
3.4 | 0 | 24 | 3 | 6.55 |
|
Maheesh Theekshana |
3 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 8.33 |
|
Wanindu Hasaranga |
4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
|
Dasun Shanaka |
1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
|
Matheesha Pathirana |
3 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 4.00 |
Key Moments That Defined the Match
-
Sri Lanka’s Powerplay Dominance: The opening partnership between Nissanka and Kusal Mendis set the tone, scoring 84 runs in 8.5 overs. Their aggressive approach put the Dutch bowlers under pressure early.
-
Asalanka’s Six-Hitting Spree: Charith Asalanka’s five sixes in the death overs turned a good total into an imposing one, making it nearly impossible for the Netherlands to chase.
-
Thushara’s Bowling Heroics: Nuwan Thushara’s 3/24, including the dismissals of key batsmen like Max O’Dowd and Scott Edwards, broke the Netherlands’ batting backbone.
-
Netherlands’ Middle-Order Collapse: Losing three wickets in quick succession between overs 8 and 10 derailed the Dutch chase, highlighting Sri Lanka’s bowling depth.
Player of the Match: Charith Asalanka
Charith Asalanka’s explosive 46 off 21 balls earned him the Player of the Match award. His ability to clear the ropes with ease in the final overs was pivotal in pushing Sri Lanka’s total beyond 200, setting a target that proved too steep for the Netherlands.
What Made This Match Memorable?
This match was a classic example of a full-member nation asserting their dominance while the associate nation fought bravely. Sri Lanka’s batting firepower, led by Asalanka and supported by Nissanka, Mendis, and Mathews, showcased their depth. The Netherlands, despite the loss, displayed moments of brilliance, particularly through Levitt and Edwards, proving they can compete with the best on their day.
The game also highlighted the importance of experience in T20 cricket. Sri Lanka’s ability to accelerate in the death overs and their disciplined bowling in the middle overs were key differences. For the Netherlands, this match was a learning curve, showing areas like middle-order stability and death bowling where they can improve.
Comparing the Teams: Strengths and Weaknesses
Sri Lanka
-
Strengths: A balanced batting lineup with aggressive openers and finishers, coupled with a varied bowling attack featuring pace, spin, and variations.
-
Weaknesses: Occasional over-reliance on key players like Asalanka or Hasaranga can be a concern if they fail to deliver.
Netherlands
-
Strengths: Fearless batting from players like Levitt and Edwards, and disciplined bowling from van Beek and van Meekeren.
-
Weaknesses: Lack of depth in the batting order and inconsistency in handling high-pressure chases.
Historical Context: Sri Lanka vs Netherlands
Sri Lanka and the Netherlands have faced off in several ICC tournaments, with Sri Lanka holding a dominant record. Another notable encounter was during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier final in 2023, where Sri Lanka thumped the Netherlands by 128 runs. However, the Netherlands’ spirited performances, like their upset wins over full-member nations in past tournaments, show their potential to challenge the status quo.
Why This Match Matters
For Sri Lanka, this victory was crucial in the T20 World Cup 2024 group stage, boosting their net run rate and confidence. For the Netherlands, it was a chance to measure themselves against a cricketing powerhouse. Matches like these are vital for associate nations, as they provide exposure, experience, and opportunities to grow on the global stage.
Conclusion: A Clash of Grit and Glory
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Netherlands National Cricket Team Match Scorecard in the T20 World Cup 2024 was a thrilling encounter that showcased the beauty of cricket—where experience meets ambition. Sri Lanka’s clinical performance was a testament to their pedigree, while the Netherlands’ fight showed why they’re a team to watch in the future. The scorecard tells the story of a one-sided result, but the moments of brilliance from both sides made it a game worth remembering.
