Twitter Reactions: Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis smash centuries each as Sri Lanka make it 1-0 against New Zealand

Sri Lanka and New Zealand, 1st ODI. (Source – Getty Images)

Sri Lanka registered a massive win over New Zealand in the first ODI of the series in Dambulla. In a rain-marred affair, the hosts lost the wicket of Pathum Nissanka for 12 and after which, Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis took care of the business, registering respective centuries. The visiting side clearly didn’t look prepared, as several of their key players were missing. Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson were unavailable and that resulted in the Kiwis failing to live up to their potential.

Fernando made 100 runs off 110 deliveries, while Mendis played a scintillating knock of 143 runs. They stitched a partnership of 206 runs, which set the tone for the hosts. After their dismissals, skipper Charith Asalanka played an important knock of 40 runs off 28 as Sri Lanka posted 324 runs in the first innings. For New Zealand, Jacob Duffy picked up a three-wicket haul, while Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi picked one each.

Meanwhile, the rain hampered BlackCaps’ approach during the chase. The visitors were asked to chase 221 runs in 27 overs, which they couldn’t. The openers gave a good start as Will Young and Tim Robinson stitched a partnership of 88 runs. They registered 48 and 35 runs, respectively, but after that, nothing went right for the Kiwis as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips had six, two and nine runs respectively as the New Zealanders were reduced to 110/5 at one stage. Michael Bracewell made 34 runs off 32 deliveries, which gave the Kiwis some momentum, but the visitors could score only 175 runs, resulting in a 45-run loss at the hands of Sri Lanka as per DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method.

For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka picked up a three-wicket haul while Maheesh Theekshana and Asalanka picked up two wickets each and with that, the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Here’s how X reacted to Lanka’s comfortable win: