By Srian Obeyesekere
Sri Lanka savaged New Zealand by 45 runs in the first of three ODIs with openers Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando yesterday running riot with the New Zealand bowlers hammering masterly centuries in a mammoth 216 second wicket bonding off 222 balls in a 324 for 5 from 49.2 overs to restricting the visitors to 175 for 9 in the DLS revised 27 over contest chasing a target of 221 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
Kusal Mendis’ career best 128-ball 143 containing 17 boundaries and 2 sixes was the highest by a Sri Lankan batsman against New Zealand in the format heightened by explosive stroke play while Avishka Fernando marked a perfect century comeback to form hitting 9 boundaries and 2 sixes in his 115-ball 100.
Having come together after Pathum Nissanka was removed by Jacob Duffy for 12 with the score 17 with the fifth delivery of his first over and the third of the innings, the advent of the right-handed Kusal Mendis saw all fireworks as the 29-year old set the ball rolling in going for his fourth ODI century in his 137th appearance and 134th innings to taking his aggregate in the format to 4177 runs in putting the New Zealand attack to the sword.
Importantly, Mendis heightened his stature of the characteristic explosive nature of his batting that was his strong point in breaking into international cricket in a defining phase of his career where he has faced form challenges on the way to keeping his name going.
If Mendis’ was a redefining innings of greatness to stamping his name as a top notch in the international arena, the day was as significant for his Moratuwa colleague Avishka Fernando who rode through unscathed the hammer of scrutiny by the national selectors in overcoming a lean form run which also marked his fourth ODI ton from in his 45th appearance reaching 1500 runs in his career.
It was a saddening note to see Sadeera Samarawickrama, who entered the international firmament with great promise, again fade out on a low falling for 5 at No.4 which left him to look for another opportunity to come to his own as skipper Charith Asalanka stepped in to keep the run pace going with a 28-ball cameo 40 hitting two over the top and 3 to the ropes while Janith Liyanage on a run a ball unbeaten 12 did pleasing bring to the fold the entry of a new found youngster doing the job for his country in a continuity.
New Zealand’s run chase in the rain hit vagaries did hit a promising note of 88 off 13.2 overs between Tim Robinson who made 35 with 4 boundaries and Will Young 48 off 46 filled with 8 boundaries before off cutter, Maheesh Theekshana put the skids accounting for both first luring Robinson to edging one to wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis and three deliveries later clean bowling young to reducing the visitors to 89 for 2 after 14 overs. It was a no return blow for New Zealand as the Lankan skipper Asalanka stepped in showcasing the brilliant think tank captaincy virtus he has instilled in leading from the front by bringing himself on to bwling Henry Nicholas for 6 and having Mark Chapman caught by Theekshana for 2 reducing the opposition to 100 for 4 after 16.3. When Jeffrey Vandersay, a not long ago magical performer against the Indians sent out Glenn Phillips caught by Nissanka for 9 New Zealand had plunged to disaster point of 5 for 110 after 18 overs. Michael Bracewell layed a defiant 34 off 32 filled wth 5 boundaries but the side ran out of depth with pacer Dilshan Madushka applying the finishing touches for figures of 3 for 39.
Sri Lanka 324/5 (49.2 Overs)
Kusal Mendis n.o. 143, Avishka Fernando 100, Charith Asalanka 40, Pthum Nissanka 12, Janith Liyanage n.o. 12, Jacob Duffy 3/41, Ish Sodhi 1/62, Mchael Bracewell 1/73)
New Zealand 175/9 DLS (27 Overs) Revised Target 221
Will Young 48, Michael Bracewell n.o. 34, Tim Robinson 35, Mitchell Hay 10, Dilshan Madushanka 3/39, Charith Asalanka 2/15, Maheesh Theekshana 2/32, Jaffrey Vandersay 1/40)
