Match Analysis In Brief
| Date | Saturday 21st October, 2023 at 10:30 (IST) and at 06:00 (UK |
| Venue | Netherlands vs Sri Lanka will take place at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India |
| Weather | It is expected to be bright sunshine and hot at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday. Temperatures of 28c, rising to 30c, are expected throughout the day. |
| TV & Streaming | Viewers in India: can watch this match live on Star Sports channels, or stream it via the Disney+ Hotstar app. |
| Viewers in Pakistan: can watch this match live on both PTV Sports and A-Sports or stream it through the PTVFLIX App. | |
| Viewers in Sri Lanka: can watch this match live on Maharaja TV or stream it on Sirasatv. Lk. | |
| Viewers in Afghanistan: can watch this match live on Ariana TV. | |
| Viewers in Bangladesh: can watch it on Gazi TV or stream it through Rabbithole. | |
| Viewers in the UK: can watch this match live on Sky Sports or stream it via the Sky Go App. | |
| Viewers in Australia: can watch this match live on Fox Sports or stream it via the Foxtel or Kayo Sports app. | |
| Viewers in South Africa: can watch this match on SuperSport channels or stream it via the SuperSport app. | |
| Viewers in the USA and Canada: can watch this match live on Willow TV, whilst viewers from the USA can also stream it via the ESPN+ app. |
KEY BETTING STATS
- Kusal Mendis has hit 14 sixes in three innings so far; three more than any other player in the tournament – Player To Hit Most Sixes In The Match
- Sri Lanka and the Netherlands have met each other five times in One-Day Internationals with Sri Lanka winning all five – Match Result
- Sri Lanka have lost 29 of their 30 wickets so far in this tournament with the Netherlands losing 28 out of 30. They both bowled each other out in both matches during the 2023 ICC World Cup Qualifier earlier this year – 1st Innings of Match To Be Bowled Out
BETTING ANALYSIS For Netherlands
The Netherlands began by being genuinely competitive against both Pakistan and New Zealand before suffering comfortable defeats but the Dutch managed to pull off one of the biggest upsets in ICC World Cup history with the Netherlands defending a target of 245 against in-form South Africa in Dharamsala the other day. Excellent performances from Scott Edwards with the ball and all five bowlers used gave the Netherlands a famous victory in the foothills of the Himalayas.
As mentioned, the Netherlands’ impressive bowling performances saw four out of five take wickets but one, Aryan Dutt, was arguably the standout. The 20-year-old has picked up three maidens in three matches so far with only Lungi Ngidi bowling more. Given that Dutt will likely continue to open the bowling, a fairly niche bet could be to back Sri Lanka’s opening ball of their innings to be a dot (1.33) as the Dutch and Dutt seek to repeat what worked against South Africa.
Bas de Leede is arguably the Netherlands’ most important player with the all-rounder providing a crucial balance to their side. His impressive knock of 67 off 68 balls against Pakistan has not been replicated but he doesn’t miss out too much so 30+ runs (2.10) for the 23-year-old appears a worthwhile investment.
BETTING ANALYSIS For Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka lost both Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga on the eve of the tournament, leaving their bowling majorly exposed and it has been exploited. They conceded the biggest score in World Cup history against South Africa in Delhi before then allowing Pakistan to achieve the biggest chase in World Cup history in Hyderabad. It was their batting that let them down the other day, though, as they collapsed from 122-0 to 209 all out against Australia at Lucknow, eventually losing by five wickets.
Even in defeat to Australia, Sri Lanka’s batting did begin well with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera both scoring half-centuries. Their top three of Nissanka, Perera and Kusal Mendis have all been excellent, generally, so far, with Sadeera Samarawickrama also notching a hundred with Charith Asalanka contributing a half-century against South Africa. Mendis, though, has been the pick of the batters, despite his ‘failure’ against the Australians. The number three to reach at least 50 (2.62) represents excellent value.
The Netherlands’ issue with the bat so far has been against spin with Mitchell Santner taking the only five-wicket haul of the tournament so far when New Zealand faced them after Shadab Khan caused them all sorts of problems in their opening match. Given that, Maheesh Theekshana to take 2+ wickets (2.00) seems likely, despite Theekshana’s general struggles against Australia and Pakistan.
CRICKET 8’S EXPERT PREDICTION
There is often a temptation to be drawn into a minnow pulling off a surprise result and then believing they can do it again but this could well be an occasion where that actually happens. The Netherlands would have eyed up games against Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as an opportunity to win a World Cup match; especially having to come through ICC World Cup qualification alongside the Sri Lankans. They have been impressive and competitive throughout and now face a Sri Lankan side where the possibility to ‘collapse’ is concerning. When it went wrong for Chris Silverwood’s England – it went very wrong with one win in 17 Test matches. Sri Lanka got to the Asia Cup final last month only to implode by being bowled out for 50 in the final and losing ten wickets. Three successive losses, conceding a couple of world records in the process and also losing ten wickets for 77 (or nine for 53) in the other game, combined with the aforementioned absentees of Chameera and Hasaranga; a Dutch win may well be worth backing.
TIP
Netherlands to win (4.33)
