Kusal, Avishka run riot as Sri Lanka take 1-0 lead

Kusal Mendis plays a shot

Avishka Fernando celebrates his hundred 

(Pix courtesy SLC)​

By M. Shamil Amit reporting from Dambulla

Tons by Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando, who together sent the New Zealand bowlers on a leather hunt, laid the foundation for Sri Lanka to record a comfortable 45-run win on DLS method over New Zealand in the first of the three ODI encounters played under floodlights at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium yesterday.

New Zealand were set a revised a target 227 in 27 overs due to proceedings being affected by rain at the latter stages of the Sri Lanka innings.

New Zealand were given a solid start by openers Will Young and debutant Tim Robinson who together, whilst accumulating runs, gave the Sri Lankan bowlers some anxious moments.

The pair, batting with caution and confidence, posted 50 runs in 45 balls and thereafter added a further 38 runs before spinner Maheesh Theekshana made the breakthrough for Sri Lanka with the wicket of Robinson who miscued a delivery which saw his stumps being disturbed by wicket keeper Kusal Mendis having made a knock of 35.

With that dismissal New Zealand lost three wickets within the space of ten balls for the addition of seven runs and from there on they never recovered. Theekshana and skipper Charith Asalanka bagged two scalps and with Jeffrey Vandersay taking a wicket, New Zealand slid to 110 for 5 in the 18th over.

Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Hay put in some resistance but they were unable to make any headway as they were separated having shared a brief stand of 24 runs with Hay falling victim to pacie Dilshan Madusanka for ten runs and that stage New Zealand was struggling on 134 for 6 in the 22nd over.

Left with making another 93 runs in six overs, and with defeat staring them in the face, New Zealand lost back to back wickets to Dilshan Madusanka who ended with three wickets at the latter stages of the innings, restricting the visitors to a score of 175 for 9.

Earlier Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to take first lease of the wicket, were guided by Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando who together sent the New Zealand bowlers on a leather hunt which helped Sri Lanka amass a formidable score of 324 for 5.

Kusal slammed a quick-fire 128-ball knock of 143 that included 17 boundaries and two sixes while Avishka cracked 100 in 115 balls with nine boundaries and two sixes as the pair had the New Zealand struggling for survival and to prevent the pair going on the rampage.

The pair joined together after Sri Lanka lost an early wicket with the score on 17 in the third over that of Pathum Nissanka who made 12 in ten balls with three boundaries.

The duo posted Sri Lanka’s 50 runs on the board in 45 balls and then followed it up with the 50 runs stand for the second wicket in 61 balls. But from there on they sent the New Zealand bowlers on a leather hunt whilst putting up the sides’ 100 runs on the board and then Kusal racing to his half ton which had five boundaries.

The 100-run stand followed after and then Avishka made his half ton in 60 balls which had three boundaries and two sixes. They continued to accumulate runs with ease and succeeded to put up the sides’ 200 runs in quick session in 206 balls.

Kusal continued the onslaught whilst reaching his ton in 102 balls which included 12 boundaries and this followed with the pairs’ 200-run stand which they achieved in 203 balls. Avishka raced to his ton in 114 balls that included nine boundaries and two sixes before spinner Ish Sodhi made the breakthrough for New Zealand with the wicket of Avishka which came to an end a massive 206-run stand for the second with Kusal.

Sadeera Samarawickrama who followed did not last long facing four balls for his five runs. Skipper Charith Asalanka joining Kusal put on 53 runs for the fourth wicket before Kusal’s innings came to an end falling victim to right arm pacie Jacob Duffy having hit a career best knock of 143.

Skipper Asalanka put on a brief 33 runs for the fifth wicket with Janith Liyanage before he became pacie Duffy’s third victim and with the dismissal Sri Lanka’s innings came to a halt with four balls remaining with rain forcing a stoppage to proceedings.

The series will now move on to the Pallekele Stadium where the two teams will play their second ODI on November 17.