Cricket
Racing
Rugby
Tennis
Football
Combat Sports
Sport Nation
Basketball
League
Motorsport
Golf
Other Sports
Blackcaps race to convincing win in first ODI against Sri Lanka
Sport Nation • January 5th, 2025 2:30 pm
Photo: Photosport
New Zealand have quickly erased their modest target in the opening ODI against Sri Lanka, closing out a nine-wicket win in Wellington.
Requiring 179 for victory, opener Will Young ensured there wasn't the faintest hit of sweat for the freezing fans in the capital, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 90 off 86 balls - his 10th ODI half century.
Rachin Ravindra (45) and Young laid the foundation with a 93-run first-wicket partnership of 75 balls, before the latter put his foot down, the hosts reaching their goal in the 27th over.
Mark Chapman played a savvy hand at the other end, contributing 29 off 36 balls.
The result gives the Blackcaps a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, which now heads to Hamilton for the second contest on Wednesday.
Photo: Photosport
Blackcaps breeze through Sri Lankan batters in blustery Wellington
The Blackcaps have made light work the Sri Lankan batting line-up, dismissing the visitors for 178 in the 44th over.
Mitchell Santner's decision to bowl first quickly paid dividends, taking four quick wickets for 23 runs to put their opponents on the ropes in challenging conditions.
An 87-run partnership led by Avishka Fernando (56) provided some hope, before a quick double strike set the end in motion.
Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4/19.
Henry and Jacob Duffy helped the New Zealanders on to the front foot early, dispatching Pathum Nissanka and dangerman Kusal Mendis respectively to restrict the Sri Lankans to 18/2 after six overs.
Blackcaps double strike wobbles Sri Lanka in frosty Wellington I Sport Nation
Santner's superb piece of short-range fielding saw Kamindu Mendis follow soon after, executing a textbook diving under-arm flick to hit the stumps with the diving Sri Lankan well short of the run he sought. (23/3)
The very next over, Nathan Smith was handed the ball and immediately struck oil, enticing an edge high of the bat that was initially given not out, with the review reducing the visitors to 23/4 after 10.
But just as the Sri Lankan innings teetered on the verge of collapse, Fernando and Janith Liyanage put on a crucial 87-run stand, lifting their side to 110 in the 27th over.
However, both departed within the space of five deliveries, with the recovery somewhat imploding at 110/6.
Avishka departed for 56 when he gifted a catch to Glenn Phillips at backward point off Smith, after Liyange had skied one to substitute fielder Michael Bracewell off Santner.
The Sri Lankans never recovered from that double strike, losing their final four wickets for just 68 runs.
Blackcaps win toss, bowl first in opening ODI against Sri Lanka
Santner said he was keen for his attack to have first use of extremely windy - and chilly - conditions in Wellington and take advantage of the early bounce and seam that should be on offer, after plenty of overnight rain in the capital.
Having missed the T20 series, Will Young, Nathan Smith, and Will O'Rourke rejoin the starting XI for New Zealand, meaning a quartet of seamers for the hosts.
Tom Latham has been ruled out with a side strain suffered during the Super Smash.
New Zealand XI: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitch Hay (wk), Mitchell Santner (cap), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Will O'Rourke
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (cap), Janith Liyanage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando
Sport Nation has live commentary of the Blackcaps' white-ball series against Sri Lanka - available on all NZ frequencies and the Sport Nation app - available now on the App Store and Google Play.
