Kusal Mendis took home the post-game accolades for a career-best 143 as Sri Lanka won the first ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday by 45 runs via DLS method. However, it might have all been for nought if not for an exemplary effort by the bowlers.
New Zealand’s openers Will Young and Tim Robinson had given the visitors an ideal start in pursuit of an adjusted target of 221 in 27 overs, with an 88-run opening stand off 80 deliveries. With Young and Robinson on song, only Asitha Fernando was able to limit the damage. His first three overs went for only 13 runs, but at the other end, Dilshan Madushanka was sprayed around for 21 off his first two, while even the usually miserly Maheesh Theekshana had been taken for 18 in his only two overs before being withdrawn from the attack.
“Asitha bowled a good line in the first couple of overs, but after that, they scored a few runs off Dilshan [Madushanka],” Kusal said after the game.