<\/p>\n
New Zealand<\/strong> and Sri<\/strong> Lanka faced off in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, March 25.<\/p>\n Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first.<\/p>\n New Zealand\u2019s batting lineup put up a challenging total of 274 runs for the loss of 10 wickets in 49.3 overs. Finn Allen<\/strong> (51 runs off 49 balls) and Rachin Ravindra<\/strong> (49 runs off 52 balls) were the top-scorers for the Blackcaps while Chamika Karunaratne (4 wickets for 43 runs in 9 overs) was the pick of the bowlers for the touring party.<\/p>\n In reply, Sri Lanka\u2019s batting lineup struggled to cope with New Zealand\u2019s bowling attack, and were all out for just 76 runs in 19.5 overs. Henry Shipley<\/strong> (5 wickets for 31 runs in 7 overs) and Daryl Mitchell<\/strong> (2 wickets for 12 runs in 3 overs) were the top-performing bowlers for New Zealand.<\/p>\n New Zealand won the match convincingly by 198 runs and Shipley was awarded the \u2018Player of the Match\u2019 for his maiden five wicket haul.<\/p>\n Sri Lanka\u2019s aspirations for direct qualification to the ODI World Cup later this year depend on the ongoing series, and this demoralizing defeat means they must swiftly enhance their performance if they wish to sustain those hopes.<\/p>\n The next match between the two teams will take place at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on March 28, 2023.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how Twitter reacted:<\/strong><\/p>\n