Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis played brilliant knocks in the first ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at Dambulla. Fernando scored a well-paced century, contributing 100 runs off 115 balls, while Mendis supported with an impressive unbeaten century so far. Together, they formed a solid partnership, taking Sri Lanka to a commanding position. Their controlled batting and smart shot selection against both pace and spin set the tone for Sri Lanka’s innings
Kusal Mendis’ commanding hundred
Mendis played a superb innings for Sri Lanka, showcasing control and finesse as he remained unbeaten on 103 from 106 balls. His knock included 12 well-timed boundaries, largely focused on pulls and drives, demonstrating his skill against both pace and spin. Mendis built his innings steadily, pacing himself through singles and twos to keep the scoreboard moving before accelerating in the middle overs. His shot selection was impressive, with a control percentage of 94%, reflecting his focused approach and ability to rotate the strike. As Sri Lanka pushed towards a competitive total, Mendis provided a stable presence at the crease, guiding the team alongside Fernando. His knock laid a solid foundation, crucial for Sri Lanka’s innings.
Also READ: SL vs NZ 2024: Sri Lanka’s best playing XI for the ODI series against New Zealand
Avishka Fernando’s composed century
Opening the innings, Fernando anchored Sri Lanka’s start with a well-crafted 100 off 115 balls. His innings was built around clean boundaries, tallying nine fours and two sixes, setting a steady tone from the start. Fernando combined power with patience, accelerating at the right moments, and reached his half-century off just 60 deliveries. His chemistry with Mendis was instrumental, as they forged a significant 206-ball partnership that kept New Zealand under pressure. Fernando reached his century in the 38th over before falling to Ish Sodhi, but his contributions provided Sri Lanka with a powerful launching pad for the remainder of their innings.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
HUNDRED FOR AVISHKA FERNANDO….! ❣️
He brings up his 4th ODI Century in 114 balls 👏
– That’s his first ton since September 2021. He also involved in Record Breaking partnership with Kusal Mendis, they both added 206 runs for 2nd WKT. 🔥
.#SLvNZ #INDvSA #CT25 #SLvsNZ #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/IAYgcQqFtW— Shivam Dubey (@ShivamDubey45) November 13, 2024
Avishka Fernando 🇱🇰 becomes the 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 Sri Lankan player to scored 4 hundreds in ODIs. #SLvNZ
25 innings – Upul Tharanga
45 innings – Avishka Fernando *** pic.twitter.com/zXf8HJSGZi— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) November 13, 2024
Injury/fitness aside, I’ve always been curious as to why Avishka Fernando has gotten further ahead after his initial hundred against the West Indies at the 2019 ICCCWC. Hope he can fulfill all that promise from here on.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) November 13, 2024
🚨Avishka Fernando 🇱🇰🏏 becomes the 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 Sri Lankan player to scored 4 hundreds in ODIs. #SlvNZ
— S W Raza (@wajahatr059) November 13, 2024
A lot to like about Avishka Fernando. This Sri Lankan opening batter has come from age-group and school cricket, showing tremendous skill and promise. In the Lanka playing XI in ODIs, it’d be great to have Dhananjaya de Silva in place of Sadeera Samarawickrama. #SLvsNZ
— Gowhar Geelani (@GowharGeelani) November 13, 2024
4th ODI century for Kusal Mendis!
What a knock!!!#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/3ztF6jfy93
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) November 13, 2024
Well played both Kusal Mendis & Avsihka Fernando . Great partnership this #SLvNZ
— Cricket Tamizhan (@CricketTamizhan) November 13, 2024
A monumental stand of 206 for second wicket ends, setting a new record in ODIs between these teams for that partnership. They shatter previous best of 170 by Jayasuriya and Hashan Tillakaratne (2003, Bloemfontein). Avishka’s first ton since 2021. Mendis first ODI hundred in 2024.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) November 13, 2024
4️⃣th ODI hundred for Kusal Mendis 👏💯#cricket #SLvsNZ #KusalMendis pic.twitter.com/a0k459HfpE
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 13, 2024
4th ODI Century for 🇱🇰🏏 Kusal Mendis
Maiden ODI 💯 vs New Zealand
2nd ODI 💯 at RDICS
3rd ODI 💯 in Sri Lanka#sportspavilionlk #danushkaaravinda #SLvNZ #SLvsNZ pic.twitter.com/tqgcF5719K— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) November 13, 2024
Sri Lanka’s steady start against New Zealand in the 1st ODI
Sri Lanka, opting to bat first in the opening ODI of New Zealand’s tour, showed intent early with a solid foundation despite an early wicket. Pathum Nissanka’s dismissal in the third over brought Fernando and Mendis together, who stabilized the innings, rotating strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries. By the 18th over, they had brought up their 100, gradually increasing the run rate. As the innings progressed, Mendis reached his century and continued to press, maintaining a healthy run rate of 5.81. With 12 overs remaining, Sri Lanka are well-positioned for a formidable total as they aim to capitalize on their established platform.
Also READ: SL vs NZ 2024: New Zealand’s best playing XI for the ODI series against Sri Lanka
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