Sri Lanka win the toss and elect to bat in the 1st ODI against New Zealand

DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka (AP) – Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat in the first one-day international against a new New Zealand team on Wednesday.

The series will give New Zealand a build-up to next year’s Champions Trophy, for which Sri Lanka have failed to qualify after finishing ninth at last year’s World Cup in India.

While New Zealand will be playing their first ODI since December last year, Sri Lanka have fared well in the 50-over format, winning 10 of their 15 ODIs in 2024.

All-rounder Nathan Smith, opener Tim Robinson and wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay made ODI debuts for New Zealand.

Canterbury wicketkeeper-batsman Hay became the first wicketkeeper in T20s to play in six dismissals behind the stumps as New Zealand tied the series 1-1 and successfully defended a low score of 108 at the same venue last week.

Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was ruled out of the series after he suffered a calf injury during the second T20 shortly after grabbing a hat-trick. Sri Lanka will also miss its star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been sidelined for the three ODIs due to a hamstring injury.

Pallekele will host the remaining two ODIs on Sunday and next Tuesday.

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Lineups:

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (captain), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando.

New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.

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AP cricket: