Sri Lanka recorded a 45-run win (DLS method) over New Zealand in their rain-hit first ODI at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Sri Lanka scored 324 for 5 before rain interrupted the innings with four balls remaining. New Zealand’s revised target was set at 221 in 27 overs, but they managed only 175 for 9, giving Sri Lanka a 1-0 series lead. New Zealand’s innings resumed at 9:10 p.m.
New Zealand openers Tim Robinson (35 off 36 balls) and Will Young (48 off 46 balls) started strongly with an 88-run stand in 13.2 overs. However, Maheesh Theekshana’s double strike in the 14th over dismissed both openers, breaking the Kiwi momentum. From there, Sri Lankan bowlers continued to dominate, with New Zealand struggling to keep up with the required rate.
Maheesh Theekshana and Charith Asalanka each took 2 wickets, while pacer Dilshan Madushanka took 3 wickets, conceding 39 runs in his 4-over spell.
Kusal Mendis, who scored a career-best 143, was named Player of the Match.
It was an impressive batting display by Fernando and Mendis after opener Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for 12 off 10 balls (three fours) in the third over by Jacob Duffy. Mendis, returning from injury, reached his fifty off 64 balls with five fours, while Fernando brought up his fifty in 60 balls (three fours and two sixes).
Both Fernando and Mendis batted with confidence, and at the 25-over mark, Sri Lanka was at 140 for 1. Mendis, batting at number three, completed his century in 102 balls with 12 fours (his 32nd ODI century), while Fernando reached his ninth ODI century off 114 balls with nine fours and two sixes. Shortly after his century, Fernando was dismissed by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, ending the 206-run stand, the highlight of Sri Lanka’s innings.
Sadeera Samarawickrama joined Mendis but was dismissed for 5, caught by Sodhi off Michael Bracewell. Skipper Charith Asalanka then joined Mendis, taking Sri Lanka to 238 for 3 after 40 overs. Mendis struck back-to-back sixes off Bracewell before being dismissed for a career-best 143 off 128 balls (17 fours, 2 sixes) by Duffy in the 46th over.
Charith Asalanka also made a quick 40 off 28 balls, with 3 fours and 2 sixes, before Duffy accounted for his third wicket, dismissing Asalanka at 49.2 overs. Sri Lanka’s innings was halted by rain with 4 balls to spare. However, Sri Lanka scored 86 runs in the last 9.2 overs to elevate the run rate.
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner utilized six bowlers, with Jacob Duffy being the most successful, taking 3 for 41 in his 8.2 overs, while spinners Sodhi and Bracewell each captured a wicket.
New Zealand named three debutants: Tim Robinson, Mitchell Hay, and Nathan Smith, while Sri Lanka brought in Jeffrey Vandersay for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, with key spinner Maheesh Theekshana and pacers Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka in the lineup.
The second ODI between the two teams will be held on November 17 at Pallekele.
