Will Young delivered an impressive performance, scoring an unbeaten 90 runs to lead the Black Caps to a comfortable nine-wicket win. This victory came after a stellar display of teamwork in the field that set the tone for the match.

The game began with Black Caps’ captain Mitchell Santner deciding to bowl first, taking advantage of conditions that heavily favored seamers. A strong southerly wind added to the challenge for both players and spectators alike. The decision paid off quickly, as Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy struck early, putting Sri Lanka on the back foot. Santner also contributed with a brilliant run-out of Kamindu Mendis.

By the end of the first 10 overs, Sri Lanka was struggling at 23 for four. Opener Avishka Fernando stood out as their key player, playing a resilient knock despite the tough conditions. He partnered with Janith Liyanage to build an 87-run stand that formed the backbone of their innings. Fernando managed to score 56 runs off 63 balls, while Liyanage added 36 runs from 54 deliveries. However, their dismissals at the same score of 110 left Sri Lanka in trouble again.

Wanindu Hasaranga provided some late fireworks, smashing 35 runs off 33 balls, while Chamindu Wickramasinghe supported him with a steady 22 off 42 deliveries. Together, they added 48 runs—the second-highest partnership of the innings—helping Sri Lanka reach a total of 178 runs.

For the Black Caps, Matt Henry was outstanding with the ball, claiming four wickets for just 19 runs in his 10 overs. Jacob Duffy contributed with two wickets for 39 runs, while Nathan Smith also took two for 43. Santner was economical as well, taking one wicket for 27 runs in his seven overs.

In response, New Zealand avoided the early setbacks that plagued Sri Lanka’s innings. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra put together a solid 93-run partnership for the first wicket. Ravindra scored a composed 45 before being caught after mistiming a shot. Young, however, remained unshaken and continued to dominate the bowlers, even pulling off an impressive leg glance for four while falling to the ground.

Mark Chapman joined Young at the crease and played his part with an unbeaten 29 runs. The duo guided New Zealand comfortably to victory, with Young hitting the winning runs.

Player of the match Matt Henry attributed the team’s success to their ability to adapt to the challenging conditions. Bowling into the strong wind was tough, but he emphasized that understanding how to attack from both ends was crucial. “The key in one-day cricket is taking wickets,” he explained, praising his teammates for executing their plans effectively.

Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka admitted his side struggled with both the windy conditions and New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack. “Losing four wickets in the power play made it really hard to recover,” he remarked, highlighting their batting woes as a major reason for their loss.

With this all-around performance, New Zealand showcased their dominance and adaptability, leaving little room for Sri Lanka to bounce back.