SL vs NZ: Comprehensive Win Of NZ By 9 Wickets In 1st ODI

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In a one-sided encounter at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, New Zealand won against Sri Lanka by a comprehensive margin of 9 wickets in the first ODI of their three-match series on 5 January 2025. The Kiwis, after restricting Sri Lanka to a moderate total of 178 runs, won the game with ease, losing only one wicket.

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Sri Lanka’s Batting Collapse: All Out for Just 178

New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl. They took full advantage of the Basin Reserve conditions to dismiss Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. The Lankan batsmen were unable to put up any partnerships and only a few managed to make an impact on the scoreboard.

Avishka Fernando, the top scorer for Sri Lanka, scored a well-fought 56 runs, while Janith Liyanage provided support with 36 runs. The rest of the batting order of Sri Lanka just did not come into the game, and it just disintegrated. Except for Fernando and Liyanage, none of the batsmen of Sri Lanka could face the pressure exerted by the bowlers of New Zealand.

The Sri Lankan batsmen could not withstand the pace duo of New Zealand, spearheaded by Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy. Matt Henry was the main performer as he took 4 wickets, putting Sri Lanka on the back foot early in the innings. He was well supported by Jacob Duffy, who took 2 wickets. Nathan Smith and captain Mitchell Santner contributed with one wicket each. Collectively, New Zealand’s bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to just 178 runs in 43.4 overs, giving the hosts a near-impossible target to defend.

Kiwis Chase Down Target with Ease: Will Young and Rachin Ravindra Shine

New Zealand’s opening pair, Will Young and Rachin Ravindra, made light work of the Sri Lankan bowlers as they chased the modest target of 179 runs. The duo put together a solid 93-run partnership for the first wicket, building a platform for an easy victory. Ravindra played a mature knock, scoring 45 runs before he was dismissed, but not before taking the game deep into Sri Lanka’s grasp.

Will Young, in good form, remained rock-solid at the crease, batting an unflappable innings of 90 not out. He anchored the chase and never allowed New Zealand to be in any trouble at all. Mark Chapman batted sensibly to go with him to support well in a quickfire 29 not out, making sure New Zealand had reached the target with a lot of wickets and overs to spare.

Sri Lanka is struggling with the ball. Wickramasinghe is the only bright spot

Sri Lanka’s bowling attack failed to make an impact, with only Chamindu Wickramasinghe managing to take a wicket. He was the lone bowler to strike, but his efforts were futile as New Zealand’s openers batted with confidence and composure. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, on the whole, were unable to apply the necessary pressure or create consistent breakthroughs to stop the New Zealand chase.

Key Performances from the 1st ODI:

– New Zealand’s Best Bowlers:
– Matt Henry (4 wickets) – He led the bowling attack and broke the back of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
– Jacob Duffy (2 wickets) – Kept the pressure on Sri Lanka’s batsmen by supporting well at the other end.
– Nathan Smith (2 wickets) – Also contributed to the collapse with disciplined bowling.
– Mitchell Santner (1 wicket) – Bowl his usual steady spell to keep Sri Lanka at bay.
– Top Performers from Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando was the only batter of Sri Lanka to score a half-century and finished with 56 runs.
– Janith Liyanage 36 runs Useful contribution but it was not adequate to build a substantial total for Sri Lanka.
-New Zealand’s best batsmen :
-Will Young: 90  runs He remained unbeaten throughout the match. He guided the chase to make New Zealand emerge victorious.
– Rachin Ravindra (45 runs) – An important knock, but more significantly a crucial second wicket play. He proved a vital backup in the initial opening partnership.
Conclusion: The Kiwis thoroughly dominated the encounter against Sri Lanka

New Zealand comprehensively won the game in the 1st ODI as batsmen and the bowling department have been working closely with each other. The bowlers, spearheaded by Matt Henry, pegged Sri Lanka below par and saw the batters, led by Will Young, chase the innings down. Clearly, the result of the contest was an emphatic display as New Zealand revealed clinical efficiency about the gap existing between the sides.

Sri Lanka will need to reassemble and assess their strategy for the remaining two ODIs in the series. Areas of concern remain on the visitors’ side of things – the batting collapse and the underwhelming bowling. Sri Lanka must seek answers for that if they hope to recover the series.

New Zealand will look to continue their dominance with two more ODIs left to play, whereas Sri Lanka needs a much-improved performance to level the series.

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