Sri Lanka clip Eagles’ wings

Sri Lanka clip Eagles’ wings Jesse Jackson Kauraisa



WINDHOEK

Namibia was yesterday trounced by Sri Lanka by seven wickets with 39 balls remaining in their first T20 World Cup match in Abu Dhabi.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to field first to due to fear of dew forming later in the evening.

Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus and his team welcomed their opponent’s decision to award them the bat first, but ended all out for 96 in the opener.

Craig Williams top-scored with 29 off 36 balls, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers all took wickets, led by Maheesh Theekshana (3/25 in four overs).

Sri Lanka chase

Things looked good early on for Namibia as they picked up three wickets.

Sri Lanka, however, proved their class as they made sure that the early wickets were the only ones Namibia could obtain.

In the other action in the group, Ireland beat Netherlands by seven wickets and 29 balls remaining.

Namibia's next match will be against Netherlands on Wednesday at 12:00 before they battle Ireland on Friday at the same time.

The Eagles still have a chance to progress to the next stage of the World Cup if they record two convincing victories in their next matches.

A second defeat on Wednesday could, however, signal the end of their competition and an early exit from the World Cup.

Teams:

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera (wicketkeeper), Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara.

Namibia: Stephan Baard, Zane Green (wicketkeeper), Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus (captain), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Pikky Ya France, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Jan Frylinck, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz.