Sri Lanka’s second innings got off to a shaky start with the dismissal of in-form batter Pathum Nissanka. However, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal steadied the ship, building a crucial 148-run partnership that took the score to 153/1 in 46 overs. Both batters reached their half-centuries, putting Sri Lanka in a strong position. But Chandimal’s innings was cut short by New Zealand’s well-executed field strategy.
Leading up to the 47th over, Chandimal had been regularly dispatching leg-stump deliveries to the leg gully for boundaries and singles. Recognizing this pattern, New Zealand devised a clever plan. Just before the 49th over, Tom Latham, who had been fielding at extra cover, was repositioned to the leg gully area. The idea was simple: tempt Chandimal into playing his favourite flick shot off a leg-stump ball.
Sure enough, on the second delivery of the 49th over, William O’Rourke bowled a fuller-length ball aimed at the leg stump, tailing in towards the Lankan veteran. The Sri Lankan batter, as expected, flicked at it without trying to keep it down. New Zealand’s trap worked perfectly as the ball flew straight towards Latham, who took an easy diving catch. The team’s tactical brilliance paid off, and social media buzzed with excitement over the clever execution of the plan that dismissed Chandimal.
That is brilliant!
Yupe!
Tight game in Galle. #SLvsNZ #NZvsSL #WTC25
— Kunal Pandey (@itskunalpandey) September 22, 2024
2 wickets left 2 balls left for stumps #nzvssl
— Eternal 🫵 (@shamsuuiii) September 22, 2024
Stumps now!
He is there for tomorrow again?
Rachin Ravidra is battling it Out again in 4th inns #NZvsSL
— Samartha (@samartha_ggg) September 22, 2024
NZ should win this. May be by 1 wicket. #NzVsSl
— Jawan(70,45,775) (@Restlessindian_) September 22, 2024
GP gave up there!
GP and Rachin on the crease with NZ needing 123 to win. What’s gonna happen ? #NZvsSL
— Skanda (@Skanda1153) September 22, 2024