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SL vs NZ 1st ODI Highlights: Kusal-Avishka's Dual Ton; Theekshana’s Spell Help Sri Lanka Wallop New Zealand

Aakash Saini

Kusal Mendis charted his fourth ODI century [Source: @PoppingCreaseSA/x]Kusal Mendis charted his fourth ODI century [Source: @PoppingCreaseSA/x]

Sri Lanka crushed the visiting New Zealanders in a rain-marred ODI match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday, November 13. The outcome helped Charith Asalanka and co. take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Here’s the timeline of how SL vs NZ panned out in Dambulla:

SL vs NZ Highlights: Fernando, Kusal Mendis Rain Down Tons After Early Setback

Sri Lankan opener Avishka Fernando and number three batter Kusal Mendis overcame the early loss of Pathum Nissanka with a scintillating 206-run partnership for the second wicket. Both Fernando and Mendis notched up majestic centuries, the fourth of their respective ODI careers, to blaze Sri Lanka past the 200-run mark.

Fernando carved 100 runs from 115 balls with nine boundaries and two sixes before he was caught at mid-on by Will Young off Ish Sodhi at 223-2. Mendis, on the other hand, charted his magnum opus ODI score by hauling 143 runs off 128 deliveries with 17 boundaries and two sixes.

SL vs NZ Highlights: Duffy’s Three-Fer Minimizes Damage, But SL Mount 324

After delivering the early strike in the form of Pathum Nissanka in just the third over of the match, New Zealand’s new ball paceman Jacob Duffy also halted Kusal Mendis’ century rampage and Charith Asalanka’s fiery cameo in the slog overs to claim figures of 3-41 in a high scoring innings.

Regardless, Sri Lanka still ended up mounting 324-5 in 49.2 overs before rains enforced early closure. Captain Asalanka clobbered three boundaries and two sixes in his 28-ball 40 while Janith Liyanage made an unbeaten 12. For New Zealand, Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi also chipped in with a wicket each, albeit in expensive spells.

SL vs NZ Highlights: Will Young, Robinson Set Up Exciting Chase With Confident Start

Amidst an extensive rain delay, the New Zealanders were set a revised target of 221 runs from 27 overs. In response, openers Will Young and Tim Robinson set up an exciting run-chase with a blistering start at the top.

The two cricketers shared 87 runs in the first 13 overs before the first drinks break, with both well-set batters approaching splendid half-centuries.

SL vs NZ Highlights: Theekshana, Asalanka Douse All NZ Hopes To Secure Big Win

New Zealand’s high-flying start was soon extinguished by Sri Lankan enigma machine Maheesh Theekshana, who picked up the wickets of both well-set openers in quick succession to claim figures of 2-32. Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka also bagged two wickets in two overs in the form of Henry Nicholls and Mark Chapman as New Zealand slipped from 88-0 to 100-4 to concede their early advantage.

New ball operator and exciting paceman Dilshan Madushanka (3-39) jolted New Zealand’s lower-half to restrict the visitors to just 175-9 at the end of 27 overs. The hosts ended up claiming a huge 45-run win (DLS method) to go 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series.