In a rain-shortened ODI opener in Dambulla a Black Caps side featuring debutants Mitchell Hay, Nathan Smith, and Tim Robinson, fell short against Sri Lanka, losing by 45 runs (DLS).
Sri Lanka set a formidable 324/5 in 49.2 overs, led by Kusal Mendis’s 143 and Avishka Fernando’s 100.
Despite a revised target of 221 from 27 overs, New Zealand’s promising start faded as Sri Lankan spinners dismantled their top order, with the visitors ending on 175/9.
Michael Bracewell’s valiant 34 wasn’t enough as New Zealand’s lack of experience showed. The teams meet again on Sunday night for the second ODI.
Result
- Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
- New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka
- SL 324/5
- NZ 175/9
- Sri Lanka won by 45 runs (DLS method)
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