SL vs NZ 1st ODI: Mendis, Fernando tons earn Sri Lanka comfortable win in rain-hit match

Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando shine as Sri Lanka beats New Zealand by 45 runs in rain-affected ODI.

Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando smashed centuries against a new-look New Zealand as Sri Lanka cruised to a 45-run win under the DLS method in a rain-hit first ODI on November 13, 2024.

Mendis smashed a career-best 143 off 128 balls and Fernando made 100 off 115 in Sri Lanka's imposing total of 324-5 in 49.2 overs before rain came and reduced New Zealand's target to 221 off 27 overs.

Will Young and Tim Robinson, one of the three New Zealand debutants, combined in an 88-run opening stand but Sri Lanka derailed the Black Caps' chase through its spinners and restricted the reply to a total of 175-9.

Slow bowlers Maheesh Theekshana (2-32), captain Charith Asalanka (2-15), and Jeffrey Vandersay (1-40), in place of injured Wanindu Hasaranga, all left their mark before left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka grabbed 3-39 to give Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Earlier, Mendis and Fernando combined in a 206-run second-wicket stand after debutant Nathan Smith took a well judged running catch at third man to dismiss Pathum Nissanka (12) in Jacob Duffy's second over after Asalanka won the toss and elected to bat.

Duffy could not hold onto a sharp low return catch from Mendis when the batter was on 11 in the only chance the pair gave before raising Sri Lanka's highest second-wicket stand in a one-day international against New Zealand.

The double-century stand bettered the previous Sri Lanka record of 170 between Sanath Jayasuriya and Hashan Tillakaratne during the 2003 World Cup.