So that marks our coverage from the first ODI match of the 3-match ODI series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Now the caravan shifts to Hamilton for the second ODI scheduled on 8th January, Wednesday.
For now, this is Saptak Sanyal signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Arjun Bhalla and our scorer/analyst Ghanendra Singh Thakur. Have a great Sunday!
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand Captain):"Credit to the boys for bowling nicely. We had to keep the patience. Switching the ends was brilliant for us. I think it's matter of two wins to regain the confidence. Guys have batted well. Collectively, it is very pleasing.
Champion's Trophy is in the back of our mind. We will go to Hamilton next and we will have a different pitch and a new challenge will be ahead. I want to look forward to that only as of now."
Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka Captain):"We knew that it will be hard as it was windy. It was tough for us. Bad batting is what I can say. Specially want to mention their bowling. They bowled well upfront. We lost four wickets in the powerplay. Avishka and Janith batted well but when you lose wickets in the powerplay, it becomes fatal.
Going forward, we have to recollect the good habits."
Matt Henry (Player of the Match):"Change of formats and adjusting to One Day format has worked well for us. We talked about expressing ourselves. Good thing about playing at home is that you get the understanding. You can tackle out a lot of things. Guys have a very clear idea about what to do.
Always stepping up for New Zealand is important. We have to work on the base before going to the big stage of the Champion's Trophy. We look forward to the next game at Hamilton."
Player of the Match: Matt Henry.
9:38 AM IST and 5:08 PM Local Time | New Zealand have defeated the Sri Lankan side by 9 wickets to go 1-0 up in the 3-match ODI series. This has been a dominant performance from them.
Winning the toss, Mitchell Santner sent the visitors to bat first. Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy spit fire with the new ball. They removed opener Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis for cheap scores. Kamindu Mendies tried to snatch a single and he was run out. Later skipper Charith Asalanka got out for a five-ball duck and the visitors were down to 23 for 4.
The other opener Avishka Fernando and Janith Liyanage then put a partnership together. They added 87 runs for the 5th wicket. Janith scored 36 facing 54 balls and Avishka scored 56 facing 63 balls. But they got out in quick successions and Sri Lanka were reduced to 110 for 6. Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Wanindu Hasaranga then had the onus. Hasaranga took the aggressor's role and put 33 runs on the board from just 33 balls. Wickramasinghe added 22 from 42 balls. After Hasaranga's dismissal, Sri Lankan tail-enders failed and they got wrapped up with just 178 runs on the board.
Matt Henry was the star of the show with the ball picking up 4 wickets for just 19 runs. Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith took 2 wickets each. Skipper Mitchell Santner took the all important wicket of the well set Avishka Fernando.
Coming to chase the small total, Blackcaps opener started on a good note. Rachin Ravindra and Will Young started the innings with a few boundaries. They scored at 7 runs per over in the powerplay. Rachin Ravindra scored 45 runs from 36 balls hitting 6 boundaries and a maximum. But his innings was cut short as he pulled a short ball of Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Hasaranga at deep square leg.
After his dismissal, Young was joined by Mark Chapman. Their partnership kept the run flow going as they continued to take singles and doubles. Will Young brought up his 10th ODI fifty and eventually remained unbeaten on 90 from 86 balls. He hit 12 fours on his way. Mark Chapman remained unbeaten on 29 from 36 balls with 3 fours. New Zealand got the victory by 9 wickets and with 142 balls remaining.
OVER 27
New Zealand
180/1
Will Young
90(86)
Mark Chapman
29(36)
Chamindu Wickramasinghe
1-28(3.2)
26.2 C Wickramasinghe to W Young
4 FOURRRRR!!!! That's the victory for New Zealand. They go 1-0 up in the series as Will Young brings up the boundary in his trademark style. Short of length ball at the off stump. Young swivels and pulls it through the deep midwicket area for a boundary.