Matt Henry`s Uproar Took New Zealand 1-0 Lead In Series Opener
Matt Henry captured 4 wickets for 19 runs as New Zealand dismissed Sri Lanka for 178 and quickly chased down the modest total in only 26.2 overs, thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 90 from Will Young, taking an early advantage in the ODI series. On a Basin Reserve pitch that provided early help to bowlers, New Zealand won a crucial toss, set the pace of the game, and maintained pressure on the opposing team throughout.
Even though Sri Lanka did not qualify for the upcoming Champions Trophy, they arrived at this match having gained momentum from an impressive ODI run, winning five of their six series in 2024. However, most of their 12 wins last year were at home, and the conditions in Wellington were far different from those that aided their return to form. New captain Mitchell Santner won a significant toss and flawlessly led the team as Sri Lanka struggled to 23 for 4 within the first 10 overs.
Henry opened the scoring for New Zealand in the fifth over when Pathum Nissanka offered a simple catch to mid-off while attempting to flick a full delivery. In the following over, Jacob Duffy dismissed Kusal Mendis, who chopped on. New Zealand enhanced their bowling efforts with exceptional ground fielding, highlighted when Santner picked up a push-and-run from Kamindu Mendis and executed a direct hit at the bowler’s end for a quick run-out. Santner successfully initiated a DRS review in the next over that resulted in Nathan Smith claiming the wicket of Charith Asalanka, who edged an attempted defense to wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay.
After the early collapse, Sri Lanka regrouped with an 87-run partnership between Avishka Fernando and Janith Liyanage. The former fought back by striking Nathan Smith for a four and a six, while Liyanage, at the other end, ramped Will O’Rourke for a boundary. The duo added another 11 runs off a Smith over, as they continued to score at a steady rate. Eventually, it was the captain who ended the partnership by pulling back his length, resulting in Liyanage miscuing an intended swing and departing for 36.
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Fernando was dismissed for a solid 56 in the very next over when he edged a Smith delivery straight to point. Sri Lanka then accumulated another 48-run partnership between Chamindu Wickramasinghe (22) and Wanindu Hasaranga (35), with the latter hitting four boundaries and a six to contribute crucial runs from the lower order. Henry, returning to the bowling attack in the 38th over, struck instantly to dismiss Wickramasinghe. He took a wicket in each of his next three overs to finish with a four-wicket haul as Sri Lanka was bowled out in the 44th over.
In their response, Young and Ravindra got the home side off to a fiery start, putting together 93 runs for the first wicket in just 12.3 overs. Ravindra scored 45 off 36 balls before getting out, but Young continued on, smashing 12 boundaries in his unbeaten 86-ball innings of 90, completing the chase with over 23 balls to spare.
