Sri Lanka bowlers set up comfortable win over Namibia

Led by seamers Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara and Chamika Karunaratne, Mickey Arthur’s side bowled with plenty of speed and aggression to lay the foundations for an impressive victory

Abu Dhabi: Namibia 96, Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka win by seven wickets

Scorecard

Sri Lanka began their T20 World Cup campaign with a win over Namibia that was centred around a terrific display in the field.

Led by seamers Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara and Chamika Karunaratne, Mickey Arthur’s side – with former captain Mahela Jayawardene also on their coaching staff for this tournament – bowled with plenty of speed and aggression. Chameera struck opener Zane Green on the helmet twice in the space of four overs, while Kumara produced a 90mph yorker to clean up Helao Ya France.

Namibia, on their debut in the T20 World Cup and returning to a global tournament for the first time since 2003, were powerless in response. They made just 30 runs in the powerplay and lost eight wickets in 7.1 overs from 68 for 2 to be skittled for a score that was ultimately a considerable way below par.

Spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga shared five wickets, with Theekshana – highly thought of and not dissimilar to Ajantha Mendis in style – accounting for Green, Stephan Baard and Jan Frylinck.

There was only a single partnership of substance – between Craig Williams and captain Gerhard Erasmus – but their 49-run stand wasn’t dynamic enough to move the game on sufficiently. Williams made 29 off 36 balls before missing a reverse-sweep against Hasaranga, while Erasmus miscued for 20 as he looked to clear the ropes.

Much was hoped of David Wiese, the former South Africa allrounder, but he was pinned on the crease by a ball that nipped back from Karunaratne, before Namibia’s tail was dismantled with ease.

In reply, they put up a far greater fight: Kusal Perera was fooled by a slower delivery from left-arm seamer Ruben Trumpelmann and spooned to mid-off, before Pathum Nissanka was deceived by Bernard Scholtz’s skiddy left-arm spin. And at 26 for 3 – after Dinesh Chandimal continued his poor record in T20Is, edging JJ Smit behind – the associate nation might just have sensed half a chance of an upset.

Chasing just 97, however, Sri Lanka remained in control. Scholtz dropped a straightforward chance at fine leg to dismiss Bhanuka Rajapaksa, but the 2014 champions were otherwise excellent as they justified their tag as favourites to qualify for the Super 12s from a competitive group.

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