cricket News Reports, Bowlers, Young outclass Sri Lanka in ODI series opener
New Zealand secures a commanding victory over Sri Lanka in the ODI series opener, with standout performances by Will Young and the Kiwi bowlers.
cricket News Reports, Bowlers, Young outclass Sri Lanka in ODI series opener
Matt Henry took 4 for 19 as New Zealand bowled out Sri Lanka for 178 and took an early lead in the ODI series, chasing zero in just 26.2 overs courtesy of Will Young's fiery unbeaten 90. On a basin reserve wicket that provided initial support for the bowlers, New Zealand won a key toss, scored all the runs ahead and kept the opposition under the pump throughout the game.
Although Sri Lanka failed to qualify for next month's Champions Trophy, they have won five of the six series they have played in 2024, coming into this rubber on the back of some impressive ODI form. Eleven of their 12 wins last year were at home in Wellington and the conditions were nothing like the ones that helped them rediscover their ODI mojo. New captain Mitchell Santner, however, won a crucial toss and made no mistake as Sri Lanka were reduced to 23 for 4 in 10 overs.
Henry opened the sluice gates in the fifth over when Pathum Nissanka chipped an easy catch at mid-off, attempting to flick a full ball. Jacob Duffy cut Kusal Mendis in the next over. New Zealand supported their bowling with excellent ground fielding as Santner pounced on Kamindu Mendis' push-and-run and hit it straight at the bowler's edge for a sharp run-out. Santner also gave Nathan Smith the wicket of Charith Asalanka in the next over after a DRS review, who had 'keeper Mitchell Hay' thwarted an attempt.
Sri Lanka took the lead first with an 87-run stand between Avishka Fernando and Zenith Lianege. The former got out of trouble as Nathan Smith hit a four and a six. At the other end, Lianege rammed Will O'Rourke for a four. The pair plundered another 11 runs in an over from Smith as runs continued to come in at a healthy clip. Eventually, the partnership was broken by the skipper, who pulled back his length and tried to dismiss Lianege for 36.
Fernando fell to 56 in the next over as he took a Smith ball straight to point. Sri Lanka found another 48-run stand between Chamindu Wickramasinghe (22) and Wanindu Hasaranga (35), the latter even hitting four boundaries and a six to add crucial runs to the lower order. Finally, Matt Henry returned to the attack in the 38th over and promptly struck to dismiss Wickremesinghe. He took a wicket in each of his remaining three overs as Sri Lanka were all out in the 44th over.
In reply, Young and Ravindra got the hosts off to a fiery start, adding 93 runs for the first wicket in just 12.3 overs. Ravindra fell for 45 off 36 balls but Young kept going, hitting 12 boundaries in his 86-ball 90* and managing to chase with over 23 to spare
