SL vs NZ Live Score

6:14 PM IST Right then, that is it from this rain-curtailed game. Sri Lanka takes the early lead in the series with a good all-round effort. The hosts will look to seal the series in the next one while the Kiwis will want to level things up. The 2nd ODI will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 17th November, Sunday. It will begin at 9 am GMT, but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

6:11 PM IST Charith Asalanka, the victorious skipper of Sri Lanka says they had a chat in the drinks break and decided to bowl a few tight overs and the boys responded perfectly. Adds that with the ball being wet, it was difficult but the bowlers bowled really well. On the toss, he says he wanted to bat first because it looked like a wicket that suited batting and appreciates the way Kusal and Avishka batted. Mentions that they were short of a bowler at the start and his plan was to bring himself on when a new batter came into bat.

6:11 PM IST Mitchell Santner, the captain of New Zealand says that he is disappointed by the team's performance, and losing wickets in cluster never helps. Adds Maheesh Theekshana bowled pretty well and the rain and dew played a big factor as well. Says that there are a lot of learnings to take from this game and after that excellent opening partnership, they should have done better. Ends by saying that they will come back stronger in the next one.

6:06 PM IST Kusal Mendis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic hundred (143 runs off 128 balls) which is also the highest individual score for a Lankan batter against New Zealand in ODIs. He says that Pathum Nissanka got out early so he and Avishka Fernando built up a good partnership. Adds that the wicket was on the slower side, some balls turned and some came straight. Mentions that the plan was to keep things simple in the middle overs and his approach has always been to attack the bowlers and put them under pressure early on.

5:56 PM IST Presentation Time...

5:56 PM IST Maheesh Theekshana is in for a chat. He says he was at the right spot at the right time and that crucial catch just stuck. Adds that they kept things simple and knew they needed one breakthrough to get a few more. Mentions that it was tough but the bowling department did extremely well. Appreciates Charith Asalanka and says he is a batter and knows what the players plan for and bowled really well.