By Srian Obeyesekere

New Zealand totally outplayed Sri Lanka by 9 wickets in the first of the 3-match ODI series bowling out the visitors for 178 in 44 overs and sweeping to victory stroll in the park style in 23 4 overs on a biting cold Sunday and seaming Basin Reserve track with Matt Henry dictating terms with a 4 for 19 Player of the Match burst with batsmen Will Young, an authoritative unbeaten 90 off 86 with 12 boundaries and Rachin Ravindra 45 off 36 with 6 boundaries and a six driving it home against a hapless Lankan bowling attack.

The Lankan specialist batsmen wilted before the Matt Henry led three-pronged Kiwi attack of Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith to reeling at 23 for 4 after the power play overs before Avishka Fernando 56 off 68 with 6 boundaries and a six and Janith Liyanage 36 off 54 with 4 boundaries and a six staged a recovery. The only other two noteworthy efforts were from Wanindu Hasaranga 35 off 38: with 4 boundaries and a six and lower order Chamindu Wickramasinghe 22 after the Kiwi attack had torn through Pathum Nissanka a Henry victim caught by Santner, Kusal Mendis comprehensively bowled by Duffy for an eight ball 2, next in Kamindu Mendis suicidally running himself out calling for a never there single with the situation further confounded by the Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka falling for a duck after facing five deliveries nudging a Smith delivery to Henry.

It brought the wily Hasaranga to staging a resisting almost run a ball 35, but with New Zealand having already insulated themselves in the game.

The Kiwi demolition was completed with Jacob Duffy 2 for 39 and Nathen Smith 2 for 43 supplementing Henry’s ominous 4 wicket grab

Sri Lanka’s effort was found wanting in the face of experts from the commentary box stating that the pitch looked a 320-run surface .