Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Monday, 6 January 2025 02:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Avishka Fernando top scored for Sri Lanka with a half century
In blustery and cold Wellington weather, New Zealand coasted to a comprehensive 9-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first ODI played at Basin Reserve, Wellington yesterday, to go 1-up in the three-match series.
New Zealand elected to bowl first on a greenish surface and their bowlers did an excellent job by taking early wickets in the powerplay, capturing four for 23. The Sri Lankans were put on the back foot pretty early in the match itself, and they could not recover from those early blows.
They remained on the back foot ever since and played catch-up cricket. Avishka Fernando, who waded through the early period, played really well and applied himself to score 52 off 63 balls (6 fours, 1 six). He was joined by Janith Liyanage (36 off 54), and the duo shared an 87-run stand that brought some stability back into the Sri Lankan innings, but it did not last for too long.
Wanindu Hasaranga (35 off 33) and Chamindu Wickramasinghe (22 off 42) shared another crucial 48-run stand as the ball softened but it was not really enough to get Sri Lanka up to a good score. Sri Lanka somehow managed to crawl their way to 178, but it was never going to challenge the Black Caps.
Matt Henry was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, finishing with 4/19 to take the Player of the Match award. He had good backing from Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, and Captain Mitchell Santner.
In reply, Will Young and Rachin Ravindra got New Zealand off to a good start with a 93-run stand for the opening wicket. Ravindra missed out on his 50, being dismissed for 45 off 36 balls (6 fours, 1 six), but Young (90* off 86 balls, 12 fours) notched up his half-century and kept the run chase under control in the company of Mark Chapman (29*) as New Zealand eventually completed the win in the 27th over, making it look effortless.
The second ODI will be a day/night game which will take place at Hamilton on Wednesday.
Rachin Ravindra and Will Young got New Zealand off to a solid start posting 93
Player of the Match Matt Henry celebrates a wicket
