NZ VS SL 1ST ODI

Right then, that is it from the first ODI where New Zealand have absolutely dismantled Sri Lanka and will be looking to finish them off in the next game. However, Sri Lanka will not go down without a fight which makes the second ODI even more interesting. That match will be played on 28th Match, Thursday at the Hagley Oval and the first ball will be bowled at 6.30 am IST (1 am GMT), but as you know you can join us earlier for the build-up. Until then, Goodbye and Cheers!

Henry Shipley is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning five-wicket haul.

Earlier in the game, after being put to bat first, New Zealand posted a decent total on the board thanks to a half-centry from Finn Allen and good contribution from Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra who missed out on his fifty by just a run. Chamika Karunaratne was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka who took four wickets while others supported him well too. In reply, Sri Lanka could not get going at all and were bundled out for just 76 runs which means that they have to win the remaining two games to keep their direct qualification hopes for the World Cup alive.

Sri Lanka got off to the worse possible start as they lost one of their openers, Nuwanidu Fernando to a disastrous run-out. There is a saying that if you lose an opener to a run-out things starts to go downhill and Lanka found that out in a hard way. Their batters never look like settling and everyone struggled against this fiery and young Kiwi attack. Angelo Mathews was the highest scorer with 18 runs which says a lot about this performance. New Zealand were all over the Lankans right from the start and to win like this with key players missing takes some courage and quality. The star of the show was Henry Shipley who took a five-wicket-haul and registered his career best (7-0-31-5) in ODIs. Daryl Mitchell and Blair Tickner picked up couple of wickets each as well. This was a brilliant show from them and they will now want to seal the series in the next game itself while the visitors will need to re-visit their plans and tactics to comeback harder in the next match.

What an emphatic victory for New Zealand! The Kiwis have absolutely thrashed Sri Lanka here by 198 runs to take an early lead in this ODI series. They have registered their 50th ODI win over the Lankans in the 100th match and what a way to do so as well.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! New Zealand closes the game with this wicket as they have defeated Sri Lanka by 198 runs. Fuller and on off, Lahiru Kumara looks for the big heave but skies this high in the dark sky over the head of Rachin Ravindra at mid on. Rachin Ravindra settles underneath this and takes a brilliant high catch.

Back of a length around off, Lahiru Kumara clears up his front leg and looks to slog but misses out.

FOUR! On a length outside off, Lahiru Kumara edges this and finds the fence for four at third man.

On a length outside off, Lahiru Kumara looks to cut but misses out.

SIX! That's a stroke of a top-order batter. Fuller one on off, Lahiru Kumara lofts this over the long off fence for a maximum.

Yorker nailed to perfection, Dilshan Madushanka keeps this out with a push back towards the bowler.

FOUR! Full toss in middle, Dilshan Madushanka punches this over the bowler's head for a boundary straight down the ground.

Dilshan Madushanka is the last man in.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Short-pitched delivery body bound, Chamika Karunaratne opens up his front leg and pulls this high in the dark sky, Glenn Phillips runs in from the fence at deep square leg and takes a good catch diving in front of him. Five-wicket haul for Henry Shipley.

Short-pitched delivery around middle, Chamika Karunaratne pushes this back to the bowler.

Back of a length outside off, Chamika Karunaratne defends this by standing tall on his toes.

On a length outside off, Chamika Karunaratne pushes this to point.