Cricket Highlights, 26 Mar: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (1st ODI)

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (1st ODI)

The visiting Sri Lanka had no choice but to win this match to secure a direct spot in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. That did not happen, on the contrary, the Lankans had to face the shame of being all out for less than 100 runs in 20 overs.

Yesterday (Saturday) in Auckland, Sri Lanka was all out for just 76 runs chasing hosts, New Zealand’s 274 runs. As a result, the Kiwis won by 198 runs. This is New Zealand’s second-highest margin of victory against Asian teams in ODIs. Earlier in 2010 they defeated India by 200 runs.

Dasun Shanaka’s team was bowled out for 73 runs by India in the previous ODI that they played. This is the second time in ODI history that a team has been bowled out before making a hundred in two consecutive matches. Which is also the lowest in terms of runs. In 2013, Kenya was bowled out for 89 and 93 runs in two consecutive ODI against Afghanistan.

This match was an opportunity for Sri Lanka to maintain their chances of playing directly in the ODI World Cup 2023. Because if Sri Lanka won all the matches of the three-match series against New Zealand, they would have got the opportunity to directly participate in the ODI World Cup.

However, the Lankans lost the first match and lost that chance. As a result, another team will get a direct place in the ODI World Cup to be held in India later this year.

Coming down to chase the challenging target of 274 runs, no batsman could score even 20 runs in Sri Lanka’s innings. The highest 18 runs came from the bat of Angelo Mathews, who came down to play in ODIs after two years. Apart from this, only two other batsmen managed to score double-digit runs.

Chamika Karunaratne scored 11 and Lahiru Kumara returned to the pavilion scoring 10 runs. Kiwi pacer Henry Shipley played a key role in crushing Sri Lanka for 76 runs in 19.5 overs. This right-handed pacer, who went down to play the fourth ODI of his career, snapped up 5 wickets for 31 runs. Blair Tickner and Daryl Mitchell took 2 wickets each.

Being lost the toss and batting first, the host New Zealand collected a fighting score of 274 runs in 49.3 overs. Except for skipper Tom Latham, all of the batters of the Kiwi batting line-up, who batted could score double-digit runs. But none of the batters could extend their innings for long. Opener Finn Allen scored the highest 51 runs. There were 5 fours and 2 sixes in this innings of 49 balls.

Among others, debutant Rachin Ravindra scored 49 off 52 balls, Daryl Mitchell got 47 off 58 balls, and Glenn Phillips made 39 off 42 balls. Former South Africa Under-19 team captain Chad Bowes made his debut for New Zealand in this match. The right-handed batsman scored 14 runs off 15 balls coming down to open the innings.

Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha took 2 wickets each for the Sri Lankan bowlers. Besides, Dasun Shanaka and Dilshan Madushanka got 1 wicket each. 

However, Chamika Karunaratne took the highest number of 4 wickets among the Lankan bowlers conceding 43 runs. It was his best bowling performance playing 22 ODIs in his career till now. But the career-best bowling day ended in disappointment for him as the Lankans were defeated by a huge margin after scoring a record run.

Henry Shipley was adjudged player of the match for his brilliant bowling. The two teams will meet in the second match of the series at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on March 28 (Tuesday).

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Scoreboard

New Zealand – 274/10 (49.3)

Sri Lanka – 76/10 (19.5)

Result – New Zealand won by 198 runs

Player of the match – Henry Shipley

Sri Lanka