New Zealand asserted their dominance over Sri Lanka with a commanding 9-wicket victory in the first ODI at Basin Reserve, Wellington, on January 5, 2025. The one-sided affair saw the Kiwis chase down a modest target of 178 with ease, thanks to a stellar unbeaten 90 from Will Young, while Matt Henry’s fiery bowling spell dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka found themselves in immediate trouble as their top order crumbled under relentless pressure from New Zealand’s bowlers. Pathum Nissanka, known for his consistency, departed for just 9 runs, nicking an outswinger to the slip cordon. Jacob Duffy followed up with a beauty that uprooted Kusal Mendis’s stumps, leaving Sri Lanka reeling. Adding to their misery, Kamindu Mendis was run out in a chaotic mix-up, with Mitchell Santner’s pinpoint throw catching him short of the crease.
At 23/4, Sri Lanka seemed destined for an embarrassing total, but Avishka Fernando stepped up to steady the innings. Displaying remarkable composure, Fernando notched up a half-century, anchoring the innings alongside Janith Liyanage in a crucial 87-run partnership. The pair fought hard against a disciplined Kiwi attack, with Liyanage playing a supporting role.
As the innings progressed, Sri Lanka’s lower order chipped in to add some respectability to the score. Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Wanindu Hasaranga struck a few lusty blows in the final overs, helping the visitors post a total of 178. However, the target was far from intimidating, especially against a strong New Zealand lineup.
Matt Henry was the star with the ball, delivering a masterful spell that broke the back of Sri Lanka’s batting. His figures of 4/35 in 10 overs reflected his ability to extract movement and control the game, while Jacob Duffy and Mitchell Santner provided valuable support.
New Zealand’s chase began in dominant fashion, with openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra taking charge. The duo played with aggression and confidence, capitalizing on poor lines and lengths from the Sri Lankan bowlers. Ravindra, in particular, was in a destructive mood, smashing 45 runs off just 36 balls before mistiming a flick off Wanindu Hasaranga to deep backward square leg.
Young, undeterred by the loss of his partner, continued to play a masterful knock. Mixing elegance with power, he dispatched the bowlers to all parts of the ground, reaching an unbeaten 90 off 86 balls. Mark Chapman, at the other end, played a composed knock, providing solid support as the Kiwis chased down the target in just 29.2 overs.
The victory highlighted New Zealand’s all-round strength and left Sri Lanka with plenty of questions to answer. Their fragile top order, inability to handle pressure, and lack of penetration with the ball were evident throughout the game. In contrast, New Zealand’s seamless performance with both bat and ball emphasized their status as a formidable ODI side.
With this win, New Zealand takes a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, putting Sri Lanka on the back foot. As the teams head to Christchurch for the second ODI on January 8, 2025, Sri Lanka must regroup and come up with a strategy to counter the Kiwis’ dominance. Can Sri Lanka bounce back and level the series, or will New Zealand continue their march toward a clean sweep? Fans will eagerly await the next clash.
