SL VS NZ 1ST ODI

Right then, that is it from this rain-curtailed game. Sri Lanka takes the early lead in the series with a good all-round effort. The hosts will look to seal the series in the next one while the Kiwis will want to level things up. The 2nd ODI will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 17th November, Sunday. It will begin at 9 am GMT, but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Charith Asalanka, the victorious skipper of Sri Lanka says they had a chat in the drinks break and decided to bowl a few tight overs and the boys responded perfectly. Adds that with the ball being wet, it was difficult but the bowlers bowled really well. On the toss, he says he wanted to bat first because it looked like a wicket that suited batting and appreciates the way Kusal and Avishka batted. Mentions that they were short of a bowler at the start and his plan was to bring himself on when a new batter came into bat.

Mitchell Santner, the captain of New Zealand says that he is disappointed by the team's performance, and losing wickets in cluster never helps. Adds Maheesh Theekshana bowled pretty well and the rain and dew played a big factor as well. Says that there are a lot of learnings to take from this game and after that excellent opening partnership, they should have done better. Ends by saying that they will come back stronger in the next one.

Kusal Mendis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic hundred (143 runs off 128 balls) which is also the highest individual score for a Lankan batter against New Zealand in ODIs. He says that Pathum Nissanka got out early so he and Avishka Fernando built up a good partnership. Adds that the wicket was on the slower side, some balls turned and some came straight. Mentions that the plan was to keep things simple in the middle overs and his approach has always been to attack the bowlers and put them under pressure early on.

Presentation Time...

Maheesh Theekshana is in for a chat. He says he was at the right spot at the right time and that crucial catch just stuck. Adds that they kept things simple and knew they needed one breakthrough to get a few more. Mentions that it was tough but the bowling department did extremely well. Appreciates Charith Asalanka and says he is a batter and knows what the players plan for and bowled really well.

Earlier, Sri Lanka put up an impressive total in a rain-affected innings, shortened by four balls. Centurions Mendis and Avishka led the way, building a remarkable 206-run partnership - the highest for Sri Lanka against New Zealand for any wicket in ODIs. Duffy stood out among the bowlers with three wickets, while Bracewell and Sodhi claimed one apiece. Despite a prolonged rain delay that cost valuable overs, the ground staff moved quickly to get the field ready as soon as the rain let up. The revised target for the Kiwis being set at 221 runs in 27 overs.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, were on the back foot for the first half of the chase but bounced back impressively after the drinks break. Initially, their pacers struggled, and the team’s body language dipped. However, whatever skipper Asalanka said during the break clearly worked. Theekshana came on and removed both openers in the same over, sparking a shift in momentum. The captain himself contributed with a couple of crucial wickets, turning the game in Sri Lanka's favor, while Vandersay chipped in with one. Dilshan Madushanka ended up with three wickets wrapping up a fantastic performance.

New Zealand got off to a flying start, with Young taking on the role of aggressor while debutant Tim Robinson played a supporting hand. They were comfortably placed at 88/0 after 13 overs, but the drinks break broke their momentum and marked the beginning of their downfall. Both openers fell in the same over, and, in no time, they found themselves struggling at 110/5. From a promising position in the chase, they ended up in trouble due to a lack of patience and some reckless shot selection. Michael Bracewell did show up some fight with a knock of 34 off 32, but with no support from others it was never going to be enough.

SRI LANKA TAKES A 1-0 LEAD IN THE SERIES! With this win, the hosts extend their incredible home record in ODIs losing just once in the last 7 games! This victory was really set up by the twin hundreds from Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando. However, the bowling came under a bit of pressure after the chase was reduced to 27 overs, but they held their nerves well and struck at the crucial moments to seal the win.

That's it! Sri Lanka win the game by 45 runs! A very convincing win for the hosts! Dilshan Madushanka digs it in short and over off, Jacob Duffy fails to ramp it over and the ball goes past to the keeper.

Full, at the stumps, Jacob Duffy jams it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Anticlimactic! Dilshan Madushanka goes full and looks to sneak this through too but ends up bowling a very low full toss, on off, Jacob Duffy gets his bat low and wrists it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Jacob Duffy is the last man to walk out for New Zealand!

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Dilshan Madushanka hits the leg stump this time! In came Ish Sodhi and walks back for a golden duck. Dilshan Madushanka on a hattrick! Fires this full too, angling it in, on middle and leg, pace on, Ish Sodhi looks to play at it across the line but misses. The ball zips off the deck and hits the leg stump.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Dilshan Madushanka hits the leg stump this time! In came Ish Sodhi and walks back for a golden duck. Dilshan Madushanka on a hattrick! Fires this full too, angling it in, on middle and leg, pace on, Ish Sodhi looks to play at it across the line but misses. The ball zips off the deck and hits the leg stump.

Ish Sodhi walks out to bat next!

OUT! TIMBER! Dilshan Madushanka cleans Smith up! Fired in full and on off, coming straight on, skidding through a bit, Nathan Smith has a wild swing across the line but misses. The ball goes under the bat and rattles the off stump.