Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando starred as Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in their three-match ODI series against New Zealand. On Wednesday, November 13, the hosts beat the Black Caps by 45 runs (DLS) in a rain-curtailed match. Mendis won the Player of the Match after hammering 143 runs off 128 balls with the help of 17 fours and two sixes.
After opting to bat first, the Islanders put up a healthy score of 324 when rain halted proceedings with only four balls left in the innings. Pathum Nissanka departed early after which Fernando and Mendis put on a massive partnership of 206 runs for the second wicket. Avishka scored 100 runs off 115 balls with nine fours and two sixes before Ish Sodhi dismissed him.
Mendis carried on to make 143 runs off 128 balls, laced with 17 fours and two sixes. Sadeera Samarawickrama departed cheaply, but skipper Charith Asalanka’s 28-ball 40 took Sri Lanka past the 300-run mark comfortably. For the Kiwis, Jacob Duffy stood out with figures of 8.2-0-41-3. Michael Bracewell and Is Sodhi took a wicket apiece.
Bowlers seal the deal for Sri Lanka
Chasing a revised target of 221 in 27 overs, New Zealand struggled throughout and could only manage to score 175 for the loss of nine wickets. Will Young and Tim Robinson put on 88 runs for the opening wicket off 13.2 overs, but the visitors struggled afterwards.
Young made 48 runs off 46 balls while Robinson scored 35 off 36. Maheesh Theekshana got rid of both of them to put New Zealand under pressure. Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips got out in single digits.
Bracewell made 34 runs off 32 balls, but he did not get much support from the lower order batters. Dilshan Madushanka took three wickets. New Zealand will look to bounce back in the second ODI on Sunday in Pallekele.
