Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 1st ODI Highlights: SL beat NZ by 45 runs via DLS method

UPDATE - 3.23 pm GMT - The rain has stopped again in Dambulla. Hopefully, this time it will stay away so that we can see some more cricket. The ground staff have removed the covers and the umpires are out there for an inspection. We can safely say that even if we start now, we will have a shortened chase for New Zealand and we will know about the revised target pretty soon. 

UPDATE - 3.04 pm GMT - Not the update we were hoping for! Just as the covers were being peeled back, the drizzle decided to make an untimely return, forcing the ground staff to spring into action once more. And so, the waiting game stretches on.

UPDATE - 2.49 pm GMT - Some positive news! It looks like the rain has stopped now and the covers are coming off too. We know that the ground staff here are excellent and they can prepare the ground pretty quickly barring further rain. However, we are still waiting for any official word on whether Sri Lanka will bat again or New Zealand will come out directly for the chase. Stick with us for more news!

UPDATE - 2.30 pm GMT - The waiting game drags on! With the time already lost, it's almost certain that once the rain clears, we'll be in for a shortened game. Could Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first come back to haunt them? Despite the uncertainty, they've posted a solid total, and now it’ll be up to New Zealand to bat out of their skins to stay on top of the equation considering rain as a factor.

UPDATE - 2.02 pm GMT - Still nothing new to update about. The weather forecast does not look good at the moment but we still have plenty of time to get some action and a result in this game. Meanwhile, the 3rd T20I between South Africa and India will begin in a short while with the four-match series level at 1-1. So, while we wait here, you can just switch tabs to enjoy all the build-up to that game. 

UPDATE - 1.35 pm GMT - Unfortunately, the rain continues to fall persistently, and with the entire outfield now covered, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that we will see Sri Lanka bat again. It looks like the delay could extend for some time, and we might be heading towards a shortened game. If that’s the case, it could very well work in New Zealand's favour, as a reduced target might give them a better chance to chase while also making batting a bit easier. All said, we still await any official confirmation! Stay with us for any further updates on the situation.

Uh oh! The drizzle has intensified, and with just 4 balls left in the innings, the umpires have decided to call for the covers. The players are now off the field as the rain begins to make things tricky. We’ll have to wait and see how quickly the weather clears up and if the final few balls can be bowled. Stay tuned for further updates!

Jacob Duffy to Charith Asalanka, OUT! TAKEN! Jacob Duffy has three now! Jacob Duffy bangs this short and around off, Charith Asalanka hops up to pull it away but fails to get on top of the bounce. He gets a bit of a top edge as the ball goes high in the air towards deep square leg where Will Young runs forward and takes a good sliding catch. He makes up for his error in the previous over. Asalanka goes back after a fiery 40 off just 28 balls and Sri Lanka are 324/5 now!

Jacob Duffy to Janith Liyanage, Fuller and around off, Janith Liyanage slogs it towards long on for a single. There is a bit of drizzle around now and the ground staff are ready with the covers to come in if it gets heavier.

Nathan Smith to Charith Asalanka, DROPPED! The debutant almost gets a wicket with his last delivery, but it is just not meant to be. Nathan Smith takes pace off and bowls this full and outside off. Charith Asalanka looks to loft it away but mistimes it high in the air. Will Young from extra covers runs backwards, gets under it but spills it out in the air. Two runs taken. A tough debut for Nathan Smith as he finishes wicketless!

Nathan Smith to Charith Asalanka, Goes for the wide yorker but this is just a bit too outside off, Charith Asalanka fails to reach it. Wided.

Nathan Smith to Charith Asalanka, SIX! That is a fine shot! Nathan Smith misses his mark and serves this full and around off, Charith Asalanka clears his front leg away and dispatches it over the long off fence for a biggie.

Nathan Smith to Janith Liyanage, Pitched up and on leg, Janith Liyanage clips it on the bounce to deep square leg for one.

Nathan Smith to Janith Liyanage, FOUR! Gets it away this time! Slower delivery, short and just outside off, Janith Liyanage gets the chance to free his arms and ramps it over short third for a boundary.

Nathan Smith to Janith Liyanage, Hard length and on middle, Janith Liyanage pats it back to the bowler.

Nathan Smith to Charith Asalanka, Just short! Brilliant effort in the deep though! Fuller and on leg, Charith Asalanka flicks it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket. Glenn Phillips runs forward quickly and dives in but the ball just bounces in front of him. He does well to get his body behind it and keeps it to just a single.

Jacob Duffy to Janith Liyanage, A slower dipping yorker, on off, Janith Liyanage fails to dig it out. Another excellent over from Jacob Duffy, just 3 runs from it.

Jacob Duffy to Janith Liyanage, DROPPED! A tough chance though! Slower, full and outside off, Janith Liyanage reaches for it but only to cue-end back to the bowler. Jacob Duffy on his follow-through gets fingertips on it but fails to hold on to it.

Jacob Duffy to Charith Asalanka, Pitched up and angling into the pads, Charith Asalanka clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Jacob Duffy to Charith Asalanka, Good bowling! Jacob Duffy bangs in a bouncer now, on middle, Charith Asalanka looks to pull it away but misses.

Jacob Duffy to Charith Asalanka, Full again and around off, Charith Asalanka drills it on the bounce to mid off.

Jacob Duffy to Charith Asalanka, Fuller and on middle, angling in, Charith Asalanka tucks it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Nathan Smith to Janith Liyanage, A slower bouncer, on middle, Janith Liyanage tries to ramp it away but misses it. 12 runs off the over!

Nathan Smith to Janith Liyanage, FOUR! Expensive No Ball for Nathan Smith! Pitched up and outside off, Janith Liyanage throws his bat at it, gets an outside edge that flies over short third for a boundary.

Nathan Smith to Janith Liyanage, Oh..no! Nathan Smith loses his grip and bowls a very high full toss, on middle, Janith Liyanage does well to get out the way of it. It is called a No Ball and Free Hit is up next.

Nathan Smith to Charith Asalanka, 300 UP FOR SRI LANKA NOW! Short of a length and on middle, Charith Asalanka heaves it towards deep square leg for another run.

Nathan Smith to Janith Liyanage, Right in the blockhole, on middle, Janith Liyanage digs it out towards mid-wicket for a run.

Nathan Smith to Charith Asalanka, Full again and outside off, Charith Asalanka drills it to sweeper covers for a single.

Nathan Smith to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Good start to the over for Sri Lanka! Nathan Smith serves this full and around off, slower too. Charith Asalanka knows mid off is up and thumps it over the fielder for a boundary.

Jacob Duffy to Janith Liyanage, Short of a length and around off, Janith Liyanage bunts it out to the off side. Just three runs a big wicket from the over!

Jacob Duffy to Janith Liyanage, Bangs in a bouncer, on middle, Janith Liyanage ducks under it.

Jacob Duffy to Charith Asalanka, Fuller and around off, Charith Asalanka drills it through cover-point for another run.

Jacob Duffy to Janith Liyanage, On a length and on middle, Janith Liyanage pats it towards mid on for a run.

Janith Liyanage walks out to bat next for Sri Lanka!

Jacob Duffy to Kusal Mendis, OUT! TAKEN! Jacob Duffy gets his second now! A big wicket for New Zealand as this can surely make a difference of 20-25 runs to the final total. Fuller in length and well outside off, Kusal Mendis stays in his crease and tries to reach for it but his bat turns in his hand. The ball goes in the air straight to extra covers where Henry Nicholls takes a good catch. Mendis walks off to huge applause from the crowd for his magnificent knock of 143 off 128 balls.

Jacob Duffy to Charith Asalanka, A low full toss, outside off, Charith Asalanka slices it through point for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Another one that is not in total control but gets the result Sri Lanka will not mind! Tossed up, on off, Kusal Mendis leans ahead and looks to drive, gets an outside edge that goes past short third to his left for another boundary. 

Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Streaky but Kusal Mendis and Sri Lanka will happily take it! Pitched full, on middle and off, Kusal Mendis looks for a sweep shot but gets through the shot quite early. The ball goes off the top edge and beats the right outstretched arm of the keeper for a boundary. 

Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, Full, on off, Kusal Mendis pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Charith Asalanka, Shorter in length, turning in, on middle and off, Charith Asalanka knocks it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Charith Asalanka, Full, on middle, Charith Asalanka taps it to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Switching gears and how! This is slow and outside off, shorter enough to allow Charith Asalanka to rock back before he pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. 

Michael Bracewell to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Pitched right up, outside off, Kusal Mendis premediates and shuffles across before flat batting it over the bowler's head for a boundary. 18 runs come off that over!

Michael Bracewell to Charith Asalanka, Short again, on off, Charith Asalanka drives it to deep cover for one.

Michael Bracewell to Kusal Mendis, Short and on off, Kusal Mendis cuts it past short third for a single.

Michael Bracewell to Kusal Mendis, SIX! In total control this time! tossed up, on off, Kusal Mendis clears his front leg and swats it over long on for another biggie.

Michael Bracewell to Kusal Mendis, SIX! Just over! Full, on off, Kusal Mendis clubs it high and just beats the fielder at long off who jumps high but can't get any hand to it.

Michael Bracewell to Kusal Mendis, Quicker, fuller and well outside off, Kusal Mendis swings hard but mistimes it to mid off.

Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, Full, on off, Kusal Mendis drives it to deep cover for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Charith Asalanka, Slower and fuller, outside off and turning back in, Charith Asalanka rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.