Trent Boult rips through Lankan batting order in key World Cup clash

Trent Boult (Pic: AFP)

Fast bowler Trent Boult claimed three wickets as New Zealand ripped through half of Sri Lanka's batting on Thursday in their bid to earn a semi-final spot at the ICC World Cup 2023.

Sri Lanka were tottering at 74-5 in 10 overs after Lockie Ferguson sent back the left-handed Perera, who hit nine fours and two sixes in his 28-ball knock at a venue where rain is predicted in the evening.

Also Read: Bruised, but not battered

Left-arm quick Boult stood out after the wickets of skipper Kusal Mendis (six), Sadeera Samarawickrama (one) and Charith Asalanka (eight), who was given not out but the Kiwis successfully reviewed the decision in their favour.

The Black Caps have lost four straight matches but remain slight favourites in the hunt for the remaining semi-final spot as they have a better run rate than rivals Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Earlier, New Zealand elected to field first and the bowlers backed up the decision with regular wickets despite an attacking 51 by Kusal Perera in Bengaluru. Fit-again fast bowler Lockie Ferguson comes in for leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

"A little bit of weather around. A few unknowns," said Williamson. "Our focus has been on the type of cricket we want to play. Hopefully we can make a few improvements on past performances."

Also Read: The real King in our midst!

The Kiwis remain slight favourites in the hunt for the remaining semi-final spot as they have a better run rate than rivals Pakistan and Afghanistan. Victory in the match and defeats for Pakistan and Afghanistan will take them clear on 10 points and into the semis, but a loss will leave their fate out of their hands.

Table-toppers India, South Africa and Australia have already booked their places in the final-four of the 10-team tournament. Sri Lanka, led by Kusal Mendis, are already out of the semi-final race but have Champions Trophy qualification on the line.

The top seven teams from this World Cup will gain entry into the 2025 tournament where hosts Pakistan will have automatic qualification. The team are still hurting from the "timed out" dismissal -- the first in international cricket history -- for Angelo Mathews in their previous loss to Bangladesh.

Mendis said New Zealand "is a calm team" when asked about their previous ill-tempered encounter with Bangladesh. Bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne takes the place of fast bowler Kasun Rajitha.

(With agency inputs)