Cricket

In a rain-interrupted first One-Day International (ODI) at Dambulla, Sri Lanka secured a convincing 45-run victory over New Zealand, thanks to centuries from Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando.Mendis, 29, struck a career-best 143, while Fernando hit 100 as Sri Lanka posted a commanding 324-5 in 49.2 overs before rain halted play. New Zealand, chasing a revised target of 221 off 27 overs, were restricted to 175-9 in the day-night game.The Kiwis started off confidently with an 88-run stand between openers Will Young and Tim Robinson. However, Maheesh Theekshana triggered a collapse, dismissing both openers in quick succession. From there on, the visitors struggled to keep up with the required run rate, losing wickets in clumps.Earlier, Mendis and Fernando stitched together a 206-run stand for the second wicket, the highest partnership for any wicket at Dambulla in ODIs. Mendis' 128-ball knock was studded with 17 fours and two sixes, while Fernando's 115-ball innings included nine fours and two sixes.Sri Lanka's batters seized control after captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to bat first. Opener Pathum Nissanka was dismissed early, but Mendis and Fernando made the most of the conditions. The New Zealand spinners struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batsmen, who kept the scoreboard ticking at over 6.5 runs per over.Rain halted play just one ball into Sri Lanka's innings, causing a 39-minute delay. Downpours returned with four balls left in the Sri Lankan innings.The ODI action will next move to Pallekele where the remaining two games of the series will be played on Sunday and Tuesday.

Sri Lanka's captain, Charith Asalanka, opted to bat first in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Dambulla. Asalanka anticipated the pitch to deteriorate for batting as the match progressed. New Zealand's skipper, Mitchell Santner, expressed indifference towards bowling first, citing the potential for rain and a wet outfield later in the evening.New Zealand introduced three debutants into their lineup: opening batter Tim Robinson, wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay, and seam-bowling allrounder Nathan Smith. Adam Milne, who replaced the injured Lockie Ferguson, was unavailable for selection due to his late arrival in the country. Jacob Duffy and the spin quartet of Ish Sodhi, Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips provided the bowling options.Sri Lanka welcomed back left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka. However, they suffered an injury setback with Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out. Jeffrey Vandersay took his place in the XI. The top seven Sri Lankan batsmen offer additional bowling depth, with Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Janith Liyanage capable of contributing overs.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Preview, Team News, and Live UpdatesSri Lanka and New Zealand will lock horns in the first ODI of their three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday. The hosts will be eager to avenge their recent T20I series defeat against the Kiwis, while the visitors will aim to continue their winning momentum.Team News:New Zealand have suffered a major blow with the absence of star pacer Lockie Ferguson, who has been ruled out due to a leg injury. Adam Milne has been called up as his replacement. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will miss the services of leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who is out with a hamstring strain. Dushan Hemantha has been drafted into the squad, but Jeffrey Vandersay is expected to lead the spin attack.Key Players:For Sri Lanka, all eyes will be on captain Dasun Shanaka, who has been in impressive form with the bat in recent times. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will also be crucial to the team's batting success. In the bowling department, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera will be the key threats.New Zealand will rely heavily on their experienced batting lineup, led by captain Kane Williamson. Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, and Glenn Phillips will be the ones to watch out for. With Ferguson out, Trent Boult and Tim Southee will shoulder the responsibility of leading the bowling attack.Match Preview:The first ODI is expected to be a closely contested affair. Sri Lanka will be playing on home soil and will be determined to make a statement. However, New Zealand have a strong team and will be confident of securing a victory. The weather conditions are expected to be favorable for both teams, with no rain forecast.Live Updates:The match will begin at 2:30 PM local time (10:00 AM GMT). Live updates will be available on the official websites and social media channels of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket.

Lockie Ferguson's Hat-Trick Seals New Zealand's Victory in Low-Scoring ThrillerNew Zealand's Lockie Ferguson unleashed a devastating spell on Sunday, claiming a hat-trick to help his team defend their lowest-ever target in men's T20I cricket. Facing a modest total of 108 against Sri Lanka in Dambulla, Ferguson's fiery bowling proved decisive in securing a thrilling five-run victory.After the Kiwis were dismissed for a paltry 108, Ferguson stepped up with a two-over spell that turned the tide of the match. His first victim was Kusal Perera, who edged a yorker to wicketkeeper Mitch Hay on the final ball of the Powerplay.In the following over, Ferguson struck twice in quick succession. Kamindu Mendis was trapped lbw by a 143kph delivery, while Charith Asalanka was caught down the leg side, handing Ferguson a hat-trick. The 33-year-old became the sixth Kiwi bowler to achieve the feat in T20Is.Ferguson's hat-trick shattered Sri Lanka's hopes of chasing down the target. Only three Lankan batters managed double-digit scores, as New Zealand's bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Off-spinner Glenn Phillips also chipped in with three wickets for the BlackCaps.Ferguson's exceptional performance earned him figures of 2-0-7-3, while Phillips finished with 3-1-13-3. The victory marked New Zealand's first in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's Charith Asalanka played a pivotal role in their hard-fought four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening T20I match in Dambulla. Chasing a modest target of 136, Sri Lanka's batsmen faced a stern test against New Zealand's second-string team.Asalanka's crucial 38-run partnership with Wanindu Hasaranga for the sixth wicket proved decisive in guiding Sri Lanka to victory. Asalanka remained unbeaten on a well-crafted 35 off 28 deliveries, while Hasaranga contributed 22 before being dismissed.Earlier, New Zealand's below-par total of 135 all out provided Sri Lanka with some breathing room. Kusal Perera etched his name in the record books by surpassing Tillakaratne Dilshan as Sri Lanka's highest run-scorer in T20s with a quickfire 23 off 17 balls.New Zealand's innings was anchored by Michael Bracewell's 27 off 24, while Ish Sodhi and Zakary Foulkes added a valuable 39 runs for the ninth wicket. However, Sri Lanka's bowlers, led by Dunith Wellalage's three wickets, kept the visitors in check.Wellalage sealed Sri Lanka's victory in style, pulling Jacob Duffy for a six over mid-wicket. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged the challenge of adjusting to the conditions and the impact of the dew on their bowling.Despite missing several key players, New Zealand showed resilience, particularly in their lower order. The second and final match of the series will be played at the same venue on Sunday, where Sri Lanka will aim to secure a series victory.

New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, have opted to bat first in the opening T20I against Sri Lanka in Kandy. Santner expressed confidence in the pitch, describing it as "a good surface, maybe a touch on the slower side." With no rain expected, he felt comfortable batting first. Sri Lanka's captain, Charith Asalanka, also indicated that he would have chosen to bat first.Sri Lanka have retained the same XI that defeated West Indies in their previous T20I. Their bowling attack features fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara, along with spinners Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dunith Wellalage.New Zealand, on the other hand, are fielding a depleted team due to the ongoing South Asian tour. Wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay is set to make his debut, while other lesser-known players include seamers Zakary Foulkes and Jacob Duffy, and allrounder Josh Clarkson.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand T20I Series: A Clash of Titans in DambullaSri Lanka and New Zealand are set to lock horns in a highly anticipated two-match T20I series, commencing on Saturday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The series marks the first encounter between the two sides since Sri Lanka's 2-0 Test series triumph over the Kiwis.Sri Lanka, buoyed by their recent 2-1 T20I series victory against West Indies, have retained the same squad for this encounter. The team will be led by experienced all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, who has been in impressive form with both bat and ball. Other key players to watch out for include opener Pathum Nissanka, middle-order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be eager to avenge their Test series defeat and prove their mettle in the shorter format. The Kiwis have a formidable T20I squad, led by the experienced Kane Williamson. Other notable players include opener Martin Guptill, all-rounder Mitchell Santner, and pace bowler Trent Boult.The shift to white-ball cricket presents both teams with unique challenges and opportunities. Sri Lanka will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and the familiarity of the conditions. New Zealand, however, will be confident in their ability to adapt quickly and impose their style of play.The series is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams possessing a wealth of talent and experience. Sri Lanka will be aiming to continue their winning momentum, while New Zealand will be determined to make a statement and prove their dominance in the T20I format.

India's quest for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 final has hit a roadblock following their home series defeat to New Zealand. This setback marks India's first home Test series loss since 2012 and has significantly impacted their qualification prospects.Prior to the New Zealand series, India held a commanding lead in the WTC standings with a percentage (PCT) of 68.06. However, consecutive losses have seen their PCT plummet to 62.82, with Australia lurking close behind at 62.50 and Sri Lanka trailing at 55.56.India's path to the WTC final has become increasingly challenging. Five of their remaining matches are part of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, a formidable opponent. To secure a place in the final, India must emerge victorious in four out of the five Tests against Australia.The outcome of other series will also play a crucial role in India's qualification hopes. South Africa, currently fourth with a PCT of 54.17, will host two Tests each against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Sri Lanka, in third place with a PCT of 55.56, faces a daunting series against South Africa as they aim to reach their first ICC final in over a decade.With several crucial series yet to be played, the final outcome of this WTC cycle remains uncertain. Teams will need to demonstrate consistency, handle pressure effectively, and seize every opportunity to secure a place in the final at Lord's.

Australia's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka in late January holds significant implications for both teams' aspirations in the World Test Championship and the Champions Trophy. The two-Test series in Galle could prove pivotal in determining who reaches the final of the World Test Championship at Lord's in June.The Tests, scheduled for January 29-February 2 and February 6-10, will be crucial for both Australia and Sri Lanka. Australia, currently ranked third in the World Test Championship standings, needs to perform well in this series to enhance their chances of reaching the final. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is placed seventh and will be eager to make a statement against a formidable opponent.The tour also includes an ODI on February 13, which will serve as preparation for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Australia will be keen to fine-tune their limited-overs skills ahead of the tournament.Australia's last visit to Sri Lanka in 2022 resulted in a 1-1 Test series draw. The visitors won the first Test in dramatic fashion, but Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya claimed 12 wickets on debut to level the series in the second Test.Australia may be without captain Pat Cummins for all or part of the tour due to the birth of his second child. Head coach Andrew McDonald has indicated that they will respect Cummins' decision if he chooses to miss a Test for family reasons.The selectors are expected to prioritize red-ball preparation for the spinners selected to support Nathan Lyon. Glenn Maxwell is in contention for a return, while left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann could be an option to supplement Lyon. Former Australia spinner Steve O'Keefe has urged the selectors to focus on developing the spinners' skills in Sri Lankan conditions.