"Really happy to finish the game for my team" - Sadeera Samarawickrama after Sri Lanka's win

Sri Lanka registered a win by 5 wickets over the Netherlands in the 19th match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The Netherlands won the toss and opted to bat. They managed to post 262 runs on the back of Sybrand Engelbrecht’s 70 and Logan van Beek’s 59. Dilshan Madushanka and Kasun Rajitha claimed 4 wickets each.

While chasing, Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka scored 54 whereas Sadeera Samarawickrama remained unbeaten 91 and guided the team to the finish line.

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Who said what after the match?

Kusal Mendis said: Very happy today, winning our first match of the WC. Bowlers did well in the first 10 overs. Rajitha and Dilshan bowled really well. 280 would’ve been enough on this pitch maybe. It was turning at the end. Sadeera batted really well. Rajitha had only three overs left so that’s why I took him off. Sadeera and Asalanka batted really well. Lots of positive things.

Scott Edwards said: “We obviously didn’t start well. I thought we got ourselves to what was a pretty competitive total. Our first 30 overs – we just didn’t get it right. Leaked too many boundary balls. Didn’t field that well either. Our bowlers have been good for us throughout the tournament, but our top order and our bowlers let us down today. Don’t know if we would change too much. Just want to execute better.

Had a feeling it would turn later. Aryan turns it a bit more generally than other spinners. He bowled exceptionally well. Our batting hasn’t quite clicked yet. Got a few too many starts but haven’t kicked on. Not too bothered either way (batting first or second). Not too stressed about the toss.”

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Sadeera Samarawickrama, who won the Player of the Match said: “Really happy to finish the game for my team. We needed a win, we haven’t done well in the last 3 games, so I really wanted to win a game for my team and I am really happy. When I went to bat the wicket was not easy, the ball was spinning and the pacers were bowling good line and lengths, my plan was to bat deep and play maximum overs, I did my basics right and hence succeeded.

I knew it would be hard in the later part because the wicket was turning and gripping, my plan for others was also to bat deep and told them we can’t chase this total in 40 overs. Today it was hard (to bat) against the spinners, the wicket was slow and the ball was gripping.”