WELLINGTON, New Zealand — In an impressive display, Will Young remained unbeaten with 90 runs, contributing significantly to a 93-run opening partnership with Rachin Ravindra, as New Zealand secured a convincing nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international on Sunday. This win gives New Zealand a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series.
Earlier in the match, Matt Henry shone with the ball, taking four wickets for just 19 runs, as he played a key role in bowling out Sri Lanka for a total of 178 runs in a little over 43 overs. New Zealand comfortably reached the target of 180 runs, concluding their innings at 180 for just one wicket in the 27th over.
Young achieved his 11th ODI half-century, while the returning Ravindra made a commendable 45 runs off 36 balls, including six fours and one six. Mark Chapman rounded off New Zealand’s innings with an unbeaten 29.
“It was exciting for everyone to transition back into one-day cricket,” Henry noted, having taken three of his wickets against a persistent wind throughout the match. “Getting the series off to a good start was fantastic.”
New Zealand won the toss and opted to field first on a pitch that had been protected from rain, perfectly complementing their strong fast-bowling line-up. The chilly conditions included a biting southerly wind that swept across the Basin Reserve, dropping temperatures to around 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit) during the peak summer season.
Avishka Fernando was the standout performer for Sri Lanka, scoring a resilient half-century alongside Janith Liyanage in an 87-run partnership that salvaged the innings after a disastrous start left them at 23 for 4 within the first ten overs. Fernando’s 56 runs marked his fifth ODI half-century, while Liyanage contributed 36 runs upon returning to the side after missing the recent T20 series.
Henry, Nathan Smith, and Jacob Duffy all took early wickets, putting Sri Lanka under pressure, while New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner played a crucial role in breaking the significant partnership between Fernando and Liyanage. Santner accounted for a wicket, executed a run-out, and took three catches off Henry’s bowling during the innings.
Sri Lanka began their innings cautiously before losing opener Pathum Nissanka in the fifth over. Despite an impressive average of 47 runs across the T20 series, Nissanka could only manage 9 runs this time, attempting to work a delivery from Henry through midwicket but instead offering a simple catch to Santner.
Santner demonstrated his skills in the field by running out Kamindu Mendis and catching captain Charith Asalanka off Smith’s bowling. Following these early setbacks, Fernando and Liyanage managed to stabilize the innings, progressing to 108 for 4 after 25 overs. Fernando’s determined innings included six fours and a six, enabling him to reach his half-century in just 52 balls.
The Sri Lankan batting order faced further challenges as Liyanage attempted to lift a delivery from Santner but ended up being caught after a top edge. Fernando soon followed, dismissed by Smith when trying to drive a ball that edged to Glenn Phillips.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Wanindu Hasaranga (who scored 35) formed a brief partnership of 48 for the seventh wicket before Henry returned to claim Wickramasinghe’s wicket for 22 runs. The teams are set to clash once again on Wednesday at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
