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Collective batting effort takes New Zealand to a strong total
Put in to bat on a dry, sluggish surface in Hyderabad, New Zealand posted a healthy 320-plus score against Netherlands on Monday (October 9) thanks to contributions from their top five and a sizzling cameo at the end from Mitchell Santner. Netherlands were disciplined for a large part of the innings and went a notch up after the 40-over mark with some solid defensive bowling but like in the game against Pakistan, they leaked a few runs in the final few overs to let New Zealand off the hook.
When the innings started in the afternoon, there were clear signs that this pitch was nowhere as flat and easy-paced as it had been during the warm-up games here last week. Netherlands started with a bang by bowling three maidens on the trot to put pressure on New Zealand’s openers. Most teams would have panicked but Devon Conway and Will Young were calm in their riposte. They upped their intent and importantly, played the ball on merit to punish anything remotely loose. The next three overs went for 28 runs and the batting side had gotten momentum.
Aryan Dutt was excellent at his end with the new ball, making optimal use of the surface but he was let down by Ryan Klein who was drafted into the XI for the injured Logan van Beek. Both Conway and Young took the attack to Klein with the former also carting Dutt for a big six over cow corner. Despite starting the game with three maidens, New Zealand ended with a whopping 63 runs in the first Powerplay. Netherlands, though, found their bearings once the field was spread and the radar was much better. Roelof van der Merwe broke the opening stand by dislodging Conway and that wicket further helped the Dutch to keep a lid on the scoring rate.
Young was joined by Rachin Ravindra who once again looked comfortable out there despite not being as fluent as the England game. The surface also had a part to play in that. The pair accumulated runs and got their respective fifties but the scoring rate wasn’t intimidating enough. Perhaps, the Black Caps knew a par score for the surface and were working quietly towards that. Or maybe, it was just street-smart bowling from the Netherlands bowlers who bowled to the fields more often than not. Young looked set for a hundred but he and Ravindra both fell to soft dismissals.
The baton was carried forward by Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham but there was a significant difficulty in forcing the pace after the 30-over mark. However, the experience of the batters meant that scoreboard kept ticking. It was Mitchell’s dismissal in the 41st over that started a downward spiral for New Zealand. They lost a few more wickets even as skipper Latham held his own at the other end. The scoring rate dipped and it even seemed like the Dutch may have an outside chance of restricting the Kiwis to less than 300.
However, Latham and Santner provided a good finish to the innings with the latter ending the innings with a no-ball six and a Free Hit that was also dispatched for six. The last three overs produced 50 runs, an extraordinary finish on the sluggish pitch as New Zealand have pushed their total from a respectable one to a score around the par levels.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 322/7 in 50 overs (Will Young 70, Tom Latham 53, Rachin Ravindra 51; Roelof van der Merwe 2-56, Paul van Meekeren 2-59) vs Netherlands
(Cricbuzz)
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 18 April 2026, valid for 19 April 2026
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp says control of the Strait of Hormuz has now “returned to its previous state” because of the US’s continuing blockade of Iranian ports.
US President Donald Trump says the naval blockade will “remain in full force” until “our transaction with Iran is 100% complete”.
Earlier Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the strait is “completely open” to all commercial vessels, ‘in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon” and “on the coordinated route as already announced”
[Aljazeera]
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 17 April 2026, valid for 18 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Showers predicted in the Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, North-western, North-central and Southern provinces after 1.00 pm.
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
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