Right-hand medium pacer Henry Shipley claimed a five-wicket haul as New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 198 runs to go 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series. This is the biggest win by Black Caps over Sri Lanka (in terms of runs) in men's ODIs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shipley's brilliant effort of 5-31 and two wickets apiece claimed by Daryl Mitchell (2-12) and Blair Tickner (2-20) helped New Zealand bowl out Sri Lanka for 76 in 19.5 overs after posting 274 in 49.3 overs on being asked to bat first.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With this win, New Zealand have topped the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League standings. They have 160 points from 22 games. If they manage a 3-0 sweep in the series, they will overtake Australia, to go No. 1 in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka took the field after winning the toss. New Zealand got going on the back of crucial top-order contributions from Finn Allen (51) and co. Despite losing a flurry of wickets in the middle overs, the Kiwis got to 274 with the help of some lower-order hitting from Glenn Phillips (39) and Rachin Ravindra (49).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chamika Karunaratne was the pick of Sri Lanka bowlers with his 4-43.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka's top order was wrecked, thanks to a destructive spell from fast bowler Shipley. They lost half their side in the first 10 overs and never recovered, eventually getting bowled out for 76.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This was their heaviest loss against New Zealand by the margin of runs (in this format) and the fifth-heaviest defeat overall.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This loss further jeopardises Sri Lanka's quest for a direct qualification. They are placed 10th in the Super League standings, with 77 points and two more games to play.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Only the top eight sides in the Super League get a direct qualification to the World Cup, which will take place later this year in India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Even if Sri Lanka win the next two ODIs in the series, they will have to bank on other results for direct qualification.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief scores:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Even if Sri Lanka win the next two ODIs in the series, they will have to bank on other results for direct qualification.<\/p>\r\n\r\n