New Zealand had an emphatic victory in the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka, winning by a stunning 198 runs after putting up a total of 274 runs.
The visitors were bundled out for a meagre total of 76 runs in 19.5 overs after having got off to the worst possible start, losing opening batsman Nuwanidu Fernando.
Fernando was out for four runs after a disastrous run-out by Glenn Phillips, shortly after which, his partner Pathum Nissanka was bowled out by Henry Shipley for nine runs.
The Lions saw a downward streak from there, with Angelo Mathews having scored the highest individual runs, securing a paltry 18 runs under his wing.
Henry Shipley bagged the title of ‘Player of the Match’ for his match-winning five-wicket haul, taking out Nissanka (09), Kusal Mendis (0), Charith Asalanka (09), Dasun Shanaka (0) and Chamika Karunaratne (11).
While being the star of the show, this was also Shipley’s career best in the ODI format.
Chamika Karunaratne was, however, the pick from Sri Lanka’s bowling squad, with a four-wicket haul, taking out Fin Allen (51), Will Young (26), Henry Shipley (06) and Matt Henry (0).
The teams will meet again on 28 March at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, for the second ODI in the three-match series.
