New Zealand's fast bowlers produced a clinical display to dismiss Sri Lanka for a paltry 136 and set the tone for a one-sided 10-wicket win in the World Cup in Cardiff on Saturday.
New Zealand's Matt Henry claims the wicket of Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne in Cardiff on Saturday.Credit:PA
New Zealand's openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro cruised to the total, scoring 73 and 58 not out respectively.
Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson had won the toss and chosen to bowl on a pitch so green that it was indistinguishable from the outfield, and he was rewarded when Matt Henry trapped opener Lahiru Thirimanne in front in the first over.
Henry, who conceded 107 runs in the warm-up match against West Indies earlier this week, continued his resurgence to remove Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis in the ninth over to leave the Sri Lankan middle order exposed at 3-46.
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Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson joined the party with two wickets in his first three overs, while Colin de Grandhomme claimed the prized wicket of the experienced Angelo Mathews for a duck.
Captain Dimuth Karunaratne led the Sri Lankan recovery, carrying his bat through the innings with an unbeaten 52 to take the total past 100.
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