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NZ vs SL 1st ODI: New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by nine wickets at the Basin Reserve, where their pacers rattled Sri Lanka's top-order batting lineup and then their batters put up a brilliant performance while chasing. Will Young scored a match-winning knock of 90 runs off 86 balls on a cold-chilly day in Wellington.

On a green-tinged surface, the Kiwi fast bowlers took advantage of the home conditions and thus left the visitors reeling at 23/4 during the powerplay. Matt Henry spearheaded the bowling attack as he registered figures of 4/19 in the 10 overs that he bowled. He dismissed Pathum Nissanka by bowling a fuller delivery, which had touched the edge and had given away just six runs in the first five overs that he bowled.

At the same time, Jacob Duffy continued the momentum as he dismissed Kusal Mendis by bowling a brilliant bouncer and the ball touched the inside edge of his stumps. Kamindu Mendis' added to the visitors' woes after getting dismissed due to a careless run-out as Mitchell Santners' delivery had directly hit the stumps.

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Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka was dismissed for a duck by Nathan Smith, who had bowled a short-pitched delivery, and in the review, it was shown that his bat was involved. Janith Liyanage was the new batter as the visitors were seen tottering.

Avishka Fernando did help the team bounce back by scoring a gritty knock of 50 runs and also stitched a partnership of 87 runs for the fifth wicket with Liyanage. They took advantage of the lateral movement and smashed boundaries at the square of the wicket and thus played the short ball brilliantly. But Liyanage was then dismissed after scoring 36 runs as he mistimed a shot and that ended his innings.

Wanindu Hasaranga too made a significant contribution of 35 runs and Chamindu Wickremesinghe scored 22 runs, but the hosts didn't lose control. Mark Chapman's brilliant fielding skills while standing at point added to the visitors' woes as they were skittled out for just 178 runs in 44 overs.

The Kiwi batters made a mockery of the gettable target of 179 runs. Opener Rachin Ravindra gave the team the much-needed start by smashing a few fours towards the off-side in the powerplay, whereas Will Young played a brilliant pull shot. New Zealand were 70/0 in 10 overs and took advantage of Sri Lanka's inconsistent bowlers.

Rachin Ravindra got out after scoring 39 runs as tried to play a flick shot as the ball went towards the leg-side but the fielder took a stunning catch. But Will Young, held the innings from one end as he scored his 10th ODI half-century. Mark Chapman too scored a gritty, unbeaten knock of 32 runs and they built a partnership of 87 runs and took the team across the line.

The Mitchell Santner-led side chased down the target with 23.4 overs remaining and thus showed their dominance with the bat and the ball.