Pacer Matt Henry came up with a superb bowling effort 4-19 while opener Will Young struck an unbeaten 90 to help New Zealand thrash Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the opening match of the three-match ODI series played at Basin Reserve, Wellington, on Sunday.
Having dominated the preceding T20I series, New Zealand continued to hold the upper hand in the ODIs too. Playing his first ODI since leaving the last Cricket World Cup with an injury in November 2023, Henry was in a league of his own as New Zealand dismissed Sri Lanka for 178 in 43.4 overs.
The hosts then cantered to 180/1 in 26.2 overs with Young leading the chase with an unbeaten 90 off 86 balls, hitting 12 boundaries. Mark Chapman was not out on 29, while Rachin Ravindra made 45 in a rapid 93-run first-wicket stand that laid the foundation for the nine-wicket victory.
The bowlers got into the act soon after Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bowl first on a cold, windy morning with the threat of rain lingering till the sun came out in the afternoon.
Henry got Pathum Nissanka for nine and Jacob Duffy sent back Kusal Mendis for 2. Kamindu Mendis was run out by an outstanding direct hit by Santner while Nathan Smith had Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka edging behind for zero as the hosts had Sri Lanka struggling at 23/4 in the 10th over.
Avishka Fernando scored a gritty half-century, off 63 balls and studded with six fours and a six, and raised 87 runs off just 94 balls for the fifth wicket with Janith Liyanage (36 off 54 balls). Chamidu Wickramasinghe (22) and Wanindu Hasaranga (35) came up with vital contributions but in the end, Sri Lanka could manage only a paltry score of 178.
Apart from Henry, Duffy and Smith claimed two wickets apiece for 39 and 43 runs, respectively.
Chasing a small target of 179 runs and with the threat of weather worsening, New Zealand started on a brisk note with Ravindra going after the Sri Lanka bowling.
Young maintained the momentum, reaching his fifty off 49 balls, and Chapman (29 not out) guided New Zealand past the target for a comprehensive victory.
