ChristchurchIn a one-sided contest, New Zealand cruised to seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka on Saturday with 29 overs remaining in the opening ODI of a five-match series at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
After electing to bat first, Sri Lanka were all-out for 188 in 47 overs. The Black Caps openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptills superb display powered hosts to put 191 on board for three in just 21 overs.
Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill have enjoyed a flying start at the crease chasing 189. McCullum, who effectively starting a final lap around the country after announcing his international retirement during the week, in rollicking form scored 55 runs in 25 balls. He hit 11 fours and one six to have Sri Lanka on the ropes.
McCullums half century came in just 23 balls. It was his 8th fastest ODI 50. Guptill, who scored brilliant 79 off 56 balls with nine fours and three sixes was the stand out performer.
The Kiwi pair put on 108 in 10.1 overs before McCullum skied a catch to point with New Zealand only needing 81 runs in 40 overs further, and Guptill was caught at long off.
Debutant Henry Nicholls hit the winning runs was unbeaten on 23.
“It was probably a 280, 290 par wicket so it was a matter of not getting to far in front of ourselves, trying to remain controlled although it probably didn’t look like that from a distance,” McCullum said.
The right-arm medium pacer, Matt Henry who took 4 wickets in first 18 balls completed his quota of 10 overs, after conceding 49 runs was adjudged man of the match.
Earlier, before a full house Sri Lanka on a wicket that promised runs galore, failed to make count as the visitors were 27 for five. Lefthander Milinda Siriwardana and lean swing bowler Nuwan Kulasekera managed to get score to 188, to give Sri Lanka something to work with.
The pair put on a seventh wicket stand of 98, a record against New Zealand, Siriwardana completing his highest ODI score, 66, while Kulasekera turned in an impressive display of clean hitting in striking five sixes in his 58. Kulasekera’s half century was his fourth in ODIs.
Siriwardana had a life on 10, when Nicholls spilled a regulation running catch at deep square leg. He struck the ball cleanly through the offside.
Wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi took a spectacular one-handed catch by high to his right to send Kulasekera back to pavilion.
Henry rules the bowling table with four for 49, followed by three wickets for Doug Bracewell, two for left armer Mitch McClenaghan and one for Adam Milne.
“We just had to bat well and put pressure on the Kiwis but unfortunately we just kept losing wickets in the first 10 overs when six of our batters were back in the pavilion. It was tough going but it was a great effort by Milinda Siriwardana and Nuwan Kulasekara, Mathews said.
The second match of the series will also be played at Hagley Oval on Monday.
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