Anderson smashed 11 boundaries and a six during his knock of 81
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson and captain Brendon McCullum both scored half-centuries to help their side beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the first ODI in Christchurch.
Anderson and McCullum were well supported by pace bowler Mitchell McClenaghan, who took four wickets.
However, Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardene deserves a lot of credit for his valiant knock of 104.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews would have been mulling over his decision to bat first after opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne was given out lbw off the bowling of Adam Milne for five runs.
Karunaratne decided to review the decision, but replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to clip the stumps. This led to the third umpire upholding the original decision.
Kumar Sangakkara only made four runs before he was brilliantly caught by Kane Williamson at backward point off the bowling of Milne.
Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 19 runs before he was stumped by Luke Ronchi off the bowling of Nathan McCullum.
Mathews fared no better as he was run out by Brendon McCullum for 15.
Jayawardene and Lahiru Thirimanne stabilised the innings with a 73-run partnership, during which Jayawardene brought up his half-century, before Thirimanne was caught by Williamson at backward point off the bowling of McClenaghan for 23.
Jeevan Mendis also made 23 runs before he was caught by McCullum at mid-off off the bowling of McClenaghan.
McClenaghan struck again just two balls later when Jayawardene was caught by Anderson at backward square leg.
Jayawardene’s superb knock of 104 came off 107 balls and included 12 boundaries and a six.
Jayawardene’s 18th ODI century went in vain
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
McClenghan picked up his third wicket of the over one ball later when Thisara Perera was caught behind for a golden duck.
Sachithra Senanayake scored seven runs before he was caught behind off the bowling of Anderson.
Thanks to Jayawardene, Sri Lanka finished on 218/9 off their 50 overs.
McClenaghan was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Milne snapped up two and Anderson and McCullum chipped in with one wicket apiece.
McClenaghan finished with figures of 4-36 off 10 overs
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Chasing 219 to win, New Zealand got off to an awful start as it only took Nuwan Kulasekara three balls to dismiss Martin Guptill for a duck.
Brendon McCullum and Williamson made up for the early loss of Guptill with a 63-run partnership, during which McCullum registered his half-century, before he was stumped by Sangakkara off the bowling of Senanayake.
McCullum’s entertaining knock of 51 came off 22 balls and included six boundaries and three sixes.
McCullum tied his own record for the fastest ODI half-century made by a New Zealand batsman
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Williamson went on to score 15 runs before he was the victim of the stunning catch by Jayawardene off the bowling of Senanayake.
Grant Elliott only made one run before he was clean bowled by Kulasekara.
Tom Latham mustered 15 runs before he was stumped by Sangakkara off the bowling of Dilshan.
Ronchi accumulated 17 runs before he was caught by Mathews at mid-off off the bowling of Shaminda Eranga.
Anderson and Nathan McCullum steadied the innings with a 60-run partnership, during which Anderson recorded his half-century, before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Dilshan.
Anderson reviewed the decision immediately, but replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to crash into middle stump.
Anderson’s fantastic knock of 81 came off 96 balls and included 11 boundaries and a six.
McCullum and Milne carried New Zealand over the finish line with three wickets in hand and 42 balls to spare.
McCullum scored 25 off 47 balls, which included one boundary, while Milne remained undefeated on seven off 11 deliveries, which included one boundary as well.
Dilshan, Senanayake and Kulasekara picked up two wickets each, while Eranga claimed one.
Mathews was disappointed with his side’s performance, and said: “We were 30-40 runs short. It wasn’t the easiest wicket to bat on as it turned and stopped on us. A bit two-pace really. Batsmen really had to hang in there. We kept losing wickets at regular intervals. We’re proud of the way we fought on the field and the bowlers. I thought Sachi, Kula and Dilshan bowled really well. They are our main bowlers and we needed them to come back really hard and they have.”
McCullum was ecstatic to have taken a 1-0 lead in the series, and said: “I thought it was a really good performance from us. Thought we were outstanding with ball and bat. We saw some good characteristics come through, and I thought Corey under pressure really stood up today and got the job done. Thought the conditions were good. Plenty of bounce in the wicket. We can create plenty of scoring and wicket-taking opportunities as well. The outfield was lighting fast and it was nice to play in front of a big crowd again. Really good performances from Boult, as he bowled without luck, but was hostile. McClenaghan got better too as the day wore on. Milne was outstanding with the new ball as well. To beat SL you need to be outstanding in the field. The dismissal of Mahela was a turning point and helped us get some momentum as we rattled off 220.”
Anderson was named Man of the Match, and said: “It was nice to play in Christchurch for the first time. Nice to get to run around the ground before the World Cup next month. It was a bit disappointing to miss the Tests, but it is good to be back playing these games. I am feeling alright with the bowling, had to get through cramps and hopefully the training will get me back into shape for the next few weeks.”