New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI at Wellington, NZ vs SL, Jan 05 2025 - Match Result

This concludes our action for the day. Please join us on January 8th for the series' second ODI. On behalf of Rashad, Fidel, Vairavan, and the rest of the ESPNcricinfo staff, I'm signing out till then.

New Zealand Captain Mitchell Santner: "Yeah, the boys up front with the ball, I guess when there's always a little bit there (in the pitch), you're obviously expected to take wickets, but I think, we're patient, especially at the start and we're able to chip out wickets that way. But I think as a collective, all four seamers there did a hell of a job switching ends, you know, a few tough hours into the wind, especially the start for Duffy and Smudge (Henry). We have to swing them around as well. (Weather) It was pretty cold (laughter). But yeah, it's probably a matter of two ends obviously, you can be probably a bit more aggressive downwind and and try to take polls and then, kind of do a bit of a holding job into the wind. But I think the credits are the guys at the scene, especially are still putting in and getting actually a little bit of bounce out of the wicket especially from this end into the wind. I think as a collective it was very pleasing. (Champions Trophy Preparation) Yeah, it sits in the back of our minds. But yeah, like you said it's a pretty important series here for us. And you know, we want to put on a bit of a show for the crowd and in our home summer. So I'm obviously a great start here but you know, we get to Hamilton. It's probably going to be a different picture all over again and a new challenge. (Fans) Yeah. I mean for your credit, it was pretty cold out there. So to see, everyone stick around, even right at the end. It was pleasing, it was amazing for us. It's a great spectacle for us to play in front of and get the sellouts that we've had so far."

Sri Lanka Captain Charith Asalanka: "(Playing Conditions) We knew that first, we came here. It's too windy, and it's gonna be hard for us, but that's not the reason. As professionals, we have to play in any kind of situation and any kind of condition. I think, again bad batting put us in this situation. Yes, especially want to mention about their bowling (New Zealand). I think they bowled really nicely up front and I think we lost four wickets in the Power Play. It's really hard for us to come back again but in the middle Avishka Fernando and Janith batted really well but at the end of the innings, it's not enough runs. (Positives from the Game) It does have many important things when we are going forward, those small positive things, and then we are going forward we have to recollect the bad habits, and we have to reconnect them to good habits. That's where that's what we are looking for when we are going forward."

Player of the Match Matt Henry: "Changing formats and getting back into some One-Day Cricket. Guys were excited and coming here to the Basin with a full house pretty much was great. So it was great to get the series underway. (Bowling ends) Yeah, I think we talk about being adaptable out there and it's just kind of what presented itself and trying to attack both ends I suppose. Yeah, the key thing in One Day Cricket is taking wickets so having the opportunity whichever end it is so just making the most of that. (Windy conditions) Yeah, it is tough. I think the good thing about playing at home though is understanding, how to adapt at both ends. And in this group, that's something we did really well, it's saying you have to talk about and discuss what your role looks like and then how you attack it down well. So guys were clear on how they wanted to operate and I think we executed it really well. (Champions Trophy Preparation) Yeah, of course, I think always coming out playing for New Zealand is really important and you're always trying to grow your game. I think moving forward to a major tournament like that, there's one eye on that, but also understanding that we've got a job to do here at home first. So it's to start here at the Basin and the way we have, we're thrilled with and we know it's going to be a big challenge going to Hamilton."

Jo: "Will Young is closely following a Matt Henry career trajectory"

To be honest, it's been a one-sided competition in all aspects. New Zealand, although missing many important players from their roster, has demonstrated their capabilities in this match. Furthermore, it was undoubtedly far from Sri Lanka's day. Before losing their opening batter Rachin Ravindra at 45 runs, New Zealand had a fantastic start to the run chase, scoring 93 runs in 12 overs. It was Will Young's tenth ODI fifty. Young finished with 90 runs off 86 balls and remained at the crease throughout. Chapman batted at number three and put up a solid 29-run innings. There were quite a few misfields manufactured by Sri Lanka. Poor line and length were also evident throughout the innings. The bowlers frequently missed their runup because they were unable to adapt to the windy circumstances. The post-match presentation is coming up soon.

New Zealand won the match by 9 wickets

5 runs needed, here's Chamindu

Jayant Isswani : "Young should go for his century! Team is miles ahead. Would be great for crowd as well!"