Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st ODI Live Score: Rain Stops Play After SL Opt To Bat First

UPDATE – Great news! Just as quickly as it arrived, the rain has eased off. The covers are all out and we are all set to resume play!

UPDATE – There’s no positive news from our previous update. Most of the outfield is now covered as the rain continues, albeit lightly but persistently. We remain hopeful and optimistic that it will clear up soon, allowing play to resume. Fingers crossed!

Oh..no! Well, just the one ball bowled and the drizzle has turned into a shower here in Dambulla. The umpires call in for the covers and the players make their way out of the ground. There are a few white clouds above and we hope that it is just a passing shower. Stay tuned for further updates.

0.1 – Steams in from over the wicket and hits the perfect line and length, in and around off, Pathum Nissanka looks to force it through but gets an inside edge rolling back onto his pads.

Done with the pre-match formalities! We can see the Kiwis spread out and take their field positions. Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando are the two openers for Sri Lanka. There is a bit of cloud covering and a bit of drizzle around. Jacob Duffy has the new ball in hand under overcast conditions and is raring to go. Let’s play…

We are not far away from the start of the game but before that, the players from both sides make their way out to the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be New Zealand’s first followed by the national antem of Sri Lanka.

Mitchell Santner, the captain of New Zealand says that he was undecided before the toss but they will do everything to restrict Sri Lanka to a low score. Adds that there are a couple of changes. Henry Nicholls is back in the team. Informs Mitchell Hay, Tim Robinson, and Nathan Smith are making their debuts.

Charith Asalanka, the skipper for Sri Lanka says it looks like a good wicket and they want to add runs here. Concludes that they do not have a lot of changes from the T20 setup and are going in with 7 batters and 4 bowlers

PITCH REPORT – Aamir Sohail is down in the middle for the pitch analysis. He says the pitch has no grass and the deck is well rolled making it dry and should favour spinners while pacers will have to be smart with their plans. Adds that the batters will have to grind in on this surface.

New Zealand (Playing XI) – Tim Robinson, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (WK), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) – Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando.

TOSS – Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to BAT first.

Just In – The news coming from the Kiwis camp is that there are three debutants in this game. Mitchell Hay, Tim Robinson, and Nathan Smith will all be playing their first ODIs.

Sri Lanka have been exceptional at home this year, and they’ll be determined to continue that domination in this series. Despite the setback of losing Wanindu Hasaranga to a hamstring injury, the hosts remain a formidable force, boasting a wealth of lethal spin options that will test the resilience of the Kiwi lineup. Charith Asalanka will be at the forefront, backed by a confident and in-form batting unit that has been instrumental in the team’s resurgence on the international stage. Can the hosts deliver another commanding display of skill and character, or will the Kiwis rise to the occasion and seize the early advantage in this series? We’re about to find out, as the toss and team updates are just moments away!

New Zealand, buoyed by their impressive victory in India, albeit in a different format, come into this series with renewed confidence and a spring in their step. Their spirited fight in the recently concluded T20I series was a testament to their resilience. With key players like Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips ready to capitalize on these slow, turning tracks, the Kiwis will be primed to carry forward their momentum. While the absence of Lockie Ferguson will be keenly felt, New Zealand possesses the depth and talent to fill the void effectively. Much of their success will hinge on how well their batters adapt to the conditions, as a solid start at the top of the order will be crucial in gaining an early edge.

The surface is anticipated to be a spinner’s paradise, setting the stage for an intriguing battle as both sides boast impressive depth in their spin departments. However, the weather forecast adds an element of unpredictability, as rain threatens to interrupt the action with potential stoppages which makes the toss all the more crucial!

Hello and a warm welcome to the highly anticipated opening clash of this thrilling 3-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, from the iconic Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium! After a captivating conclusion to the T20I series, both teams are now set to raise the stakes and battle it out in the longer white-ball format. For New Zealand, this marks their first ODI outing since December 2023, and they’ll be eager to maximize this opportunity as they fine-tune their strategies ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. On the other hand, Sri Lanka, who missed qualification for the marquee event, will be determined to make a resounding statement on the global stage, building on their encouraging progress in ODI cricket this year. 

… MATCH DAY …

The stage is set for an exciting 3-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, following their drawn T20I series that ended 1-1. The ODIs will begin in Dambulla and conclude in Pallekele. For New Zealand, this series marks the final leg of their extensive subcontinent tour, which began with a rain-affected Test against Afghanistan in Noida, followed by a 0-2 series loss to Sri Lanka, before an impressive 3-0 whitewash of India. The hosts, Sri Lanka, view this as another opportunity to assert their dominance on home soil. Both teams have announced formidable squads ahead of the series. Under the leadership of the dynamic Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup appears robust with in-form top order Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. The middle order features skipper Asalanka himself, alongside rising star Kamindu Mendis, and experienced campaigners Kusal Perera and Sadeera Samarawickrama adding depth. Sri Lanka’s bowling arsenal is spearheaded by their formidable spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, who are expected to be particularly effective in the local conditions. While spin remains their primary weapon with multiple options available, the pace department will depend on Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando with Mohamed Shiraz also another seam option. New Zealand faced a setback as Lockie Ferguson, who had just returned from a right hamstring injury, has been ruled out of the ODI series due to a calf injury sustained during the T20Is, right after taking a spectacular Hat Trick which helped New Zealand win by 5 wickets. The loss of the express pace bowler, known for habitually hitting speeds of 150 kph, deals a significant blow to the Kiwi bowling attack ahead of the series. New Zealand has announced a like-for-like replacement in the form of Adam Milne. Him, with 49 ODIs under his belt, will spearhead the pace attack alongside Jacob Duffy and newcomer Nathan Smith, while all-rounders Zakary Foulkes and Josh Clarkson provide additional bowling options. Captain Mitchell Santner, coming off a strong performance, will lead the spin department with Ish Sodhi. The Kiwis have further strengthened their slow bowling resources with Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Mark Chapman, giving them multiple spin options for the Sri Lankan conditions. New Zealand’s most recent ODI bilateral series was against Bangladesh in December 2023, though they did face Sri Lanka during the 2023 ODI World Cup, securing a commanding victory. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, comes into this series with momentum after their recent ODI triumph over West Indies just a month ago. However, the head-to-head record favors the Kiwis significantly, as they’ve won all four of their last five encounters against Sri Lanka. With all said, the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium is all set to commence this ODI series. Will New Zealand go bang bang or can Sri Lanka hold their fort? Which team do you think will win?