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It took the New Zealand bowlers just 19.5 overs to get all the Sri Lankan wickets as the Islanders suffered their worst defeat in the Oceanic country on Saturday, March 25. Chasing 274 for the win, the run-chase seemed like a close affair given the batters at Sri Lanka's disposal, but Henry Shipley's fifer completely tore apart the Lankan batters, who managed to score just 76 runs.
In the end, the 2022 Asia Cup champions had to suffer a 198-run loss. It is also just the second consecutive time that Sri Lanka have been bowled out for less than 100 runs.
Playing just his third ODI for the country, Shipley started perfectly, getting Pathum Nissanka bowled for nine runs after Nuwanidu Fernando was run out for four runs.
Kusal Mendis then went for a duck after the wicketkeeper-batter pulled a shot wide to Blair Tickner in the deep. He faced 16 balls but failed to get off the mark.
Charith Asalanka (9) followed as Shipley displayed his class against the Sri Lankan batters. He edged the ball to Tom Latham, leaving the Sri Lankans stranded at 31/4. Since, then, the team collapsed after Dasun Shanaka (0) was sent back to the pavilion, once again by Shipley as he took two in two.
Shanaka edged the ball to Daryl Mitchell, leaving them at 31/5, and Blair Tickner caught Angelo Mathews (18) LBW as the match began to unravel for the Lankans.
Shipley completed his fifer with the wicket of Chamika Karunaratne (11), with Mitchell bagging two more wickets to leave the side at 62/9.
Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka kept them going but eventually, Kumara succumbed to Tickner's pace as the Sri Lankans were dismissed for 76 runs.
Earlier, the match was a maiden international cap for Chad Bowes, who made the most of the opportunity with a boundary on his first ball. However, he only managed to score 14 off 15 balls as the Sri Lankans began to dismantle the New Zealand batters early.
Finn Allen was in good form, scoring 52 off before he hit a ball off Chamika Karunaratne straight to Rajitha, leaving the Black Caps 108-3 in the 19th over Daryl Mitchell was also in good knick, scoring 47 runs in 58 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes to his name. However, Lahiru Kumara got his all-important wicket after he lofted the ball into the hands of Karunaratne.
New Zealand's other debutant Rachin Ravindra played a fruitful innings but missed out on his half-century by one run, scoring 49 off 52 balls with 4 fours and a six to his name. He combined with Glenn Phillips (39) for a 66-run partnership, but Karunaratne's four wickets for 43 runs in nine overs was the best by the Sri Lankan bowlers, who managed to dismiss the Kiwis within 274 runs in 49.3 overs.
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