Review: New Zealand trump Sri Lanka by nine wickets in ODI series opener

New Zealand (NZ) took on Sri Lanka (SL) in the first ODI of the series at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, on Sunday, January 5. The hosts won the toss and elected to bowl. New Zealand bowlers were all over the Sri Lanka batters as they disrupted the top order leaving the visitors reeling at 23/4 within 10 overs. While Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis departed scoring nine and two runs respectively, Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka walked back scoring three and a duck respectively. 

The respite came in the form of Avishka Fernando and Janith Liyanage as the duo put up an 87-run stand for the fifth wicket. But the duo were pulled out in a jiffy as they departed in a span of 10 balls. Fernando scored 56 of 63 and Liyanage resisted with 36 of 54. At 110/6, Chamindu Wickramasinghe (22 of 42) and Wanindu Hasaranga (35 of 33) joined hands to forge a short 48-run stand for the seventh wicket.

The Kiwis did not take much time to send the tailenders packing and Sri Lanka ended their innings on 178. For New Zealand, Matt Henry picked four wickets, whereas, Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith picked two wickets each with Mitchell Santner chipping in with one wicket.

Rachin Ravindra, Will Young set the tone for chase

While chasing, the visitors were at utmost ease as their openers, Will Young and Rachin Ravindra were calculative with the bat. The duo posted 70 runs together at the end of powerplay before Ravindra departed scoring 45 off 36 and they lost their first wicket at 93 runs. Mark Chapman was promoted up the order and joined Young in the middle.

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Both the batters made sure there were no further hiccups on the course and forged an unbeaten 87-run stand for the second wicket as New Zealand were home in just 26.2 overs. While Young was unbeaten on 90 off 86, Chapman assisted him well with his 29 of 36 as New Zealand took a lead of 1-0 in the three-match ODI series.