New Zealand vs Sri Lanka ODI Series – Let’s talk Numbers

Following a 1-0 wrap-up in the Tests, the Kiwis will be hosting Sri Lanka in the shorter format, which includes a three-match ODI series. Let’s take a closer look at the ODI numbers between these two sides.

Since 1979

The two sides met for the first time during the 1979 World Cup at Nottingham. Anura Tennekoon captained the minnows while Mark Burgess led the Kiwis. Debutants Roy Dias, D.S. De Silva, Sudath Pasqual and wicketkeeper Sunil Jayasinghe appeared in national colours for the first time. In this match, schoolboy cricketer from Royal College Sudath Pasqual became the youngest ever ODI player for Sri Lanka at the age of 17 years and 237 days. New Zealand comfortably won the game by 9 wickets.

The first win for Sri Lanka against New Zealand came in the following World Cup in 1983. Having beaten India as minnows in 1979, this 3-wicket victory for Sri Lanka at Derby was also their second ever win in a World Cup game,. Duleep Mendis led the Sri Lankan outfit.

Out of the 828 ODI games played by Sri Lanka, there are only 5 encounters that have been ended in a tie. The first ever tied ODI involving Sri Lanka happened in Sharjah against New Zealand in 1996. Chasing a modest target of 170, the Lankans were subdued at 169 in an exciting game. Danny Morrison, whose terrific spell that cropped 5 for 34 also saw him capturing the last two scalps when the scores were level in this thriller.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand overall ODI record head to head –

• Played – 95
• New Zealand – 45
• Sri Lanka – 41
• Tied – 1
• No Result – 8

Recap of the past decade

Sri Lankan Tales in New Zealand

The first ever ODI between the two sides in New Zealand took place at Dunedin in 1983 where the hosts won by 65 runs. The first win for the Lions in New Zealand came in 1995 at Auckland. The victorious team was led by Arjuna Ranatunga while the 51-run win signified the end of a 9 match winless drought in New Zealand.

Since their inaugural ODI in New Zealand at Dunedin in 1983, the Sri Lankans have played Blackcaps 40 games in New Zealand.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka overall ODI head to head record in New Zealand –

• Played – 40
• New Zealand – 25
• Sri Lanka – 12
• No Result – 3

The last ODI series win for Sri Lanka in New Zealand was in 2001.

Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

Situated in the northern region Bay of Plenty, the Blackcaps have appeared 4 times at the Bay Oval winning 1 and losing 3. Sri Lanka have played one ODI at the venue in 2016 where New Zealand won by 36 runs.

Saxton Oval, Nelson

New Zealand have played 7 ODIs at Nelson, winning 5 and losing 1. Sri Lanka have played New Zealand 3 times at the venue, winning one and losing one, while another game has ended without a result. Sri Lanka is the only team to beat the hosts at this venue.  

Team Records

• Highest team total – 360/5 (New Zealand at Dunedin, 2015)
• Highest team total for (SL) – 293/4 (at SSC, 1998)
• Lowest team total – 73 all out (New Zealand at Auckland, 2007)
• Lowest team total (for SL) – 112 all out (at Christchurch, 2007)

Batting Records

• Most runs – Kumar Sangakkara (1568 runs in 45 innings) (Avg. 40.20)
• Most runs (for NZ) – Nathan Astle (760 runs in 27 innings) (Avg. 29.23)
• Most runs in New Zealand – Kumar Sangakkara (785 runs in 21 innings) (Avg. 41.31)
• Most runs for New Zealand (in NZ) – Martin Guptill (504 runs in 13 innings) (Avg. 45.81)
• Highest individual score – Luke Ronchi (170* at Dunedin, 2015)
• Highest individual score (for SL) – Sanath Jayasuriya (140 at Bloemfontein, 1994)

Bowling Records

• Most wickets – Muttiah Muralitharan (74 wickets in 40 innings) (Avg. 17.94)
• Most wickets (for NZ) – Kyle Mills (32 wickets in 21 innings) (Avg. 21.96)
• Most wickets in New Zealand – Chaminda Vaas (29 wickets in 14 innings) (Avg17.89)
• Most wickets in New Zealand (for NZ) – Mitchell McClenaghan (16 wickets in 8 innings) (Avg. 21.06)
• Best bowling – Muttiah Muralitharan (5 for 9 at Sharjah, 2002)
• Best bowling for (NZ) – Sir Richard Hadlee (5 for 25 at Bristol, 1983)