SL vs NZ 1st ODI: Mendis, Fernando tons earn Sri Lanka snug win in rain-hit match

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis, proper, is congratulated by teammate Avishka Fernando for finishing his century in the course of the first ODI cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Rangiri Dambulla Worldwide Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, on November 13, 2024
| Photograph Credit score: AP

Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando smashed centuries in opposition to a new-look New Zealand as Sri Lanka cruised to a 45-run win underneath the DLS methodology in a rain-hit first ODI on November 13, 2024.

Mendis smashed a career-best 143 off 128 balls and Fernando made 100 off 115 in Sri Lanka’s imposing whole of 324-5 in 49.2 overs earlier than rain got here and diminished New Zealand’s goal to 221 off 27 overs.

Will Younger and Tim Robinson, one of many three New Zealand debutants, mixed in an 88-run opening stand however Sri Lanka derailed the Black Caps’ chase by its spinners and restricted the reply to a complete of 175-9.

Gradual bowlers Maheesh Theekshana (2-32), captain Charith Asalanka (2-15), and Jeffrey Vandersay (1-40), instead of injured Wanindu Hasaranga, all left their mark earlier than left-arm quick bowler Dilshan Madushanka grabbed 3-39 to present Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead within the three-match sequence.

Earlier, Mendis and Fernando mixed in a 206-run second-wicket stand after debutant Nathan Smith took a properly judged operating catch at third man to dismiss Pathum Nissanka (12) in Jacob Duffy’s second over after Asalanka gained the toss and elected to bat.

Duffy couldn’t maintain onto a pointy low return catch from Mendis when the batter was on 11 in the one likelihood the pair gave earlier than elevating Sri Lanka’s highest second-wicket stand in a one-day worldwide in opposition to New Zealand.

The double-century stand bettered the earlier Sri Lanka report of 170 between Sanath Jayasuriya and Hashan Tillakaratne in the course of the 2003 World Cup.

Each batters have been strong in opposition to tempo and spin as New Zealand’s gradual bowlers could not extract a lot flip from the wicket. Mitchell Santner returned 0-53 in his 10 overs whereas Ish Sodhi (1-62) and Michael Bracewell (1-73) have been additionally costly as each batters swept the spinners with ease.

Mendis raised his fourth ODI hundred within the thirty seventh over off 102 balls and Fernando struck his first ODI century after three years within the subsequent over. Fernando, who hit 9 fours and two sixes, received dismissed quickly after finishing his fourth ODI hundred when he could not get sufficient elevation in opposition to Sodhi and was caught at mid-on.

Mendis, who smashed Bracewell for 2 sixes and a boundary in his final over, tried to speed up additional within the loss of life overs however sliced a regulation catch to additional cowl in Duffy’s return spell. Mendis struck 17 fours and two sixes in a dominant show of strokeplay after struggling within the drawn T20 sequence in opposition to the Black Caps final week on the similar venue.

New Zealand’s top-order slipped in opposition to the spinners regardless of Younger (48) and Robinson (35) combining in a good begin of 88 off 80 balls. The guests misplaced 5 wickets for 22 runs — going from 88-0 to 110-5 — after Maheesh Theekshana eliminated each openers in a single over.

Theekshana had Robinson stumped by Mendis on the second try after which went by the defenses of Younger with a straight supply. Asalanka picked up two wickets in successive overs with Theekshana grabbing a shocking catch at brief mid-wicket to dismiss Mark Chapman as Sri Lanka deflated Black Caps’ run-chase.

Pallekele will host the remaining two matches of the sequence on Sunday and Tuesday. (AP) APA APA