Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando struck scintillating centuries as Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by 45 runs in a rain-affected 1st ODI at Dambulla. The pair shared a mammoth 206-run second-wicket partnership, guiding Sri Lanka to 324 for 5 in 49.2 overs. New Zealand, chasing a revised target of 221 off 27 overs following a weather delay, were bundled out for 175 for 9, with Sri Lanka’s spinners taking control late in the game.
Mendis’s career-best 143 off 128 balls and Fernando’s 100 off 115 balls were the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s commanding total. Their partnership, the highest-ever second-wicket stand between the two sides in ODI history, laid the foundation for a challenging total.
The New Zealand chase got off to a promising start, with openers Will Young (48 off 46) and Tim Robinson (35 off 36) putting on 88 runs in 13.2 overs. However, after the rain break, the chase was never truly in reach. Despite a solid start, the required rate proved too steep, and a dramatic collapse saw New Zealand lose five wickets for just 22 runs.
Sri Lanka’s spinners, particularly Maheesh Theekshana, wreaked havoc. Theekshana claimed two key wickets in quick succession, while Madhuska (3-39) and Asalanka also contributed with vital breakthroughs. New Zealand’s lower order couldn’t recover from the collapse, and they finished well short of the target.
The win puts Sri Lanka 1-0 up in the three-match series, with the second ODI set to take place on Sunday.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka: 324/5 in 49.2 overs (Kusal Mendis 143, Avishka Fernando 100, Charith Asalanka 40; Jacob Duffy 3-41)
New Zealand: 175/9 in 27 overs (Will Young 48, Tim Robinson 35, Michael Bracewell 34*; Dilshan Madhushka 3-39, Charith Asalanka 2-15)
Sri Lanka won by 45 runs (DLS method).
