*SRILANKA VS NETHERLANDS FINAL MATCH PREVIEW-ICC WORLDCUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD-UP:*
The day is here, one which both teams would cherish and would be eagerly looking forward to. The sides of this tournament which were the finest and were clinical all the way through, are going to come up against one another to finish off with the tag of being no1 in the qualifiers.
The excellence of Srilanka did not come as a surprise. They are a good side, with a wealthy international experience and boast of a good record at the WorldCup. They were sensational throughout and managed to go unbeaten in the group stage as well as the Super Sixes. Their batting, as a collective unit, set the tone with their classy and calculative approach and their bowlers have come to the party nicely, only letting Windies, that too in their last encounter, accumulate an inning total of more than 200. The likes of Hasaranga and Theekshana with their bag of tricks and the rocky pace of Kumara and Rajitha has worked wonders for the table toppers who’d be in the quest to finish strong and finish on a high.
Netherlands, on the other hand, were rewarded for their perseverance and their determination as they sealed a spot at the WorldCup this year. The likes of Van Beek, Bas de Leede, Skipper Edwards have all made it count when it mattered the most and the European based team would hope for another special outing for this troika to round up their qualifiers stage well. The boys from Holland are a passionate lot and have played their cricket with composure, not letting the pressure get to them. Their win vs Scotland and WestIndies were a testimony to this but what they would worry about is the fact that Srilanka have defeated them already, in the second game of the Super Sixes. Scott and co would like this to change and upset the world with a performance to remember.
*SL PROBABLE XI:*
Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne set up a 190-run stand in the last game, and the side will expect a good show from the pair, who have been among the leading runscorers from this team and otherwise, overall as well. Their averages of 78 and 61 respectively, will come as a much needed stat ahead of this game.
Theekshana, who was supposed to be the support spinner in Srilanka’s lineup, has been picking up wickets and dismantling opponents for fun lately. He has two four wicket hauls to his name in the last two games against Zim then against WI, already making a case for him at the biggest stage. The Netherlands have been weak at reading spin and with the mystery hand that Theekshana possesses, they are in for a real treat during the middle overs. Wanindu Hasaranga who started off with multiple five-fors will not let them breathe easy, he comes clutch when it matters the most and this duo holds the ability to wreck havoc.
*NED PROBABLE XI:*
Scott Edwards (c & wk), Vikramjit Singh, Max O'Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Bas de Leede, Saqib Zulfiqar, Logan van Beek, Teja Nidamanuru, Ryan Klein, Aryan Dutt, Clayton Floyd
Van Beek and Klein have a task at hand, and it is an important one. Though the two have handled it pretty nicely so far, they will have to come up against a powerpacked Srilanka batting order that have been in the form of their lives-taking a toll of different bowling lineups so far and keeping them busy in the field. Van Beek, with 10 wickets up his sleeves already, will be key and looking to break partnerships. The part time bowling of Vikramjit Singh has my liking and he could spring a surprise as well.
Bas de Leede hit a brilliant hundred in the last game and will look to do well in the middle order with Teja Nidamanuru and Wesley Barresi. Edwards has done well in the finishers' role, and the side will expect a good show from him
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR SL:*
Highest run getter- Dimuth Karunaratne/Pathum Nissanka
Highest wicket taker- Wanindu Hasaranga/Maheesh Theekshana
*FOR NED:*
Highest run getter- Bas De Leede/Vikramjit Singh
Highest wicket taker- Van Beek/Ryan Klein
*FOR THIS GAME:*
Srilanka to win and remain unbeaten