Cricket-New Zealand restrict Sri Lanka to 171 in vital World Cup game

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson's decision to bowl after winning the toss paid off early as pacemen Boult (3-37) and Tim Southee (1-52) ripped through Sri Lanka's top-order to leave them in trouble at 32-3 inside five overs. Kusal Perera, who was dropped on zero by Tom Latham in the second over, punished New Zealand with a 22-ball fifty but lost another partner as Boult trapped Charith Asalanka lbw to turn the screws on the 1996 champions.

Seamer Trent Boult and spinner Mitchell Santner landed timely blows as New Zealand restricted Sri Lanka to 171 all out in their World Cup encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday.

A big win for New Zealand will put them in a strong position to bag the last semi-final spot and join India, South Africa and Australia, while Sri Lanka need a victory to boost their chances of a top-eight finish for 2025 Champions Trophy qualification. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson's decision to bowl after winning the toss paid off early as pacemen Boult (3-37) and Tim Southee (1-52) ripped through Sri Lanka's top-order to leave them in trouble at 32-3 inside five overs.

Kusal Perera, who was dropped on zero by Tom Latham in the second over, punished New Zealand with a 22-ball fifty but lost another partner as Boult trapped Charith Asalanka lbw to turn the screws on the 1996 champions. A fit-again Lockie Ferguson (2-35) struck in his second over to dismiss the aggressive Perera for 51 as Sri Lanka crumbled to 70-5 before folding in the 47th over for a modest total after Santner (2-22) and Rachin Ravindra (2-21) joined the party.