Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
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Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis put on 206 – Sri Lanka’s highest partnership against New Zealand
Avishka Fernando (left) and Kusal Mendis celebrate their fourth ODI centuries
Will Young and Tim Robinson give New Zealand head start with 88-run opening partnership
Maheesh Theekshana gets rid of both openers in one over
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
DAMBULLA: The game did not look all that straightforward for Sri Lanka when New Zealand openers Will Young and Tim Robinson posted 88 off 14 overs, chasing a revised target of 221 in 27 overs, but Maheesh Theekshana changed all that in one over when he sent back both set openers.
The result was that New Zealand lost the first ODI played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday by 45 runs (under the DLS method) to hand the host nation a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
It was a complete turnaround after the drinks break when New Zealand simply lost their way with five wickets, tumbling for 22 runs, and eventually ending up scoring 175-9. Sri Lanka who, did not have any answers the way Young and Robinson were scoring with such consummate ease, suddenly found an extra spring in their step after Theekshana’s double strike.
It triggered off a mini collapse as New Zealand went from 88-0 to 110-5. The asking rate almost doubled after that period of dominance from the Sri Lankan bowlers – with Charith Asalanka and Jeffrey Vandersay also joining the party – and New Zealand never really recovered. Michael Bracewell could not really get going as Theekshana and Asitha Fernando delivered solid death over spells, and Dilshan Madhushanka returned to claim three wickets.
The stage was however set by hundreds from Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis. After Pathum Nissanka went early, the duo eased their way to their respective fourth ODI hundreds on a good batting wicket, although there was sharp spin for the spinners. The partnership for the second wicket was worth 206 off 214 balls, which was Sri Lanka’s highest for any wicket against New Zealand, surpassing the 201 by Upul Tharanga (the present Chairman of selectors) and Sanath Jayasuriya (the present Head Coach) at Napier in 2006.
Avishka, who was under pressure coming into this game, needed a big knock and made it count with a graceful 100 off 115 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes) and Kusal showed why he is rated so highly as he cruised to a career best 143 off 128 balls (17 fours, 2 sixes). It was also the highest individual score made by a Sri Lankan against New Zealand, beating Sanath Jayasuriya’s 140 at Bloemfontein in 1994.
Asalanka came and boosted Sri Lanka with a fine knock of 40 off 28 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) to take his team across the 300-run mark only for the second time against New Zealand, as their innings was cut short at 324-5 in 49.2 overs by rain.
Kusal Mendis took the Player of the Match award.
The series takes a break for the General Election today and will resume in Pallekele with the second ODI on 17 November.
