NZ win toss, choose to bowl first
Kane Williamson wins the toss and he'll have a bowl first. "It was the obvious choice, look at the surface!", he says, referring to the green tinge on the Sophia Gardens pitch. NZ have left out Tim Southee and Henry Nicholls as they are not a 100% fit for the game.
Karunaratne would have liked to bowl first as well because he has picked four pacers.
So the trend of chasing continues for a third consecutive game at this World Cup. You cannot really tell if it is the right call, as the teams bowling first have won one game and lost the other.
Playing XI's
New Zealand XI- Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (C), Tom Latham (WK), Ross Taylor, James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Trent Boult
Sri Lanka XI- Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera (WK), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga
Cardiff not a good hunting ground for SL or NZ
New Zealand are certainly a strong contender for the World Cup title but their recent record at Cardiff is not much to write home about as they have lost their last three matches here. Sri Lanka have all also lost their last four matches at the venue, so there is not much to choose between the two if you go by their stats at this particular venue.
However, Sri Lanka's ODI record over the past year reads very poorly. They have won just 4 matches, one of them coming against minnows Scotlan, while losing 16 matches with game being abandoned. New Zealand will fancy their chances against the Lankan side, especially with Trent Boult in top form. SL will have to come up with a stupendous performance to stand a chance against Williamson and co.
Time for the national anthems!
Sri Lanka's national anthem is played first, followed by that of New Zealand's
Out walk the Sri Lankan openers
Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne walks out with Lahiru Thirimanne. The southpaws have a lot of experience in international cricket and the team will be hoping they use it to good measure to provide a solid start at the top, something we have not seen so far in any of the previous games. Williamson gives his team a short talk before they spread out.
SL 4/1 (0.2 overs)
Thirimanne will take the strike for Sri Lanka. Matt Henry with the new ball for NZ, he has two slips for the edge
0.1 Henry to Thirmanne, FOUR, gentle loosener on leg stump and Thirmanne helps it away to fine leg.
0.2 Henry to Thirmanne, OUT, goes for the review, Williamson! That looked mighty close to the naked eye. And the DRS shows three reds. Thirmanne has to walk back.
Thirimanne lbw b Henry 4(2)
SL 4/1 (1 over)
Out walks another southpaw, Kusal Perera
0.3 Henry to K Perera, DOT.
0.4Henry to K Perera, DOT, inswinger just past the stumps! This is going to get even tougher when Boult comes in
0.5Henry to K Perera, DOT, much straighter, defended
0.6Henry to K Perera, DOT.
SL 7/1 (2 overs)
Boult from the other end, no surprises there. Three slips in now
1.1 Boult to Karunaratne, DOT, not a threatening start there, front foot defence in full display
1.2Boult to Karunaratne, DOT, outswinger into the gloves of Latham
1.3Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
1.4Boult to Karunaratne, DOT, little short, Karunaratne does not want to attack just yet
1.5Boult to Karunaratne, 1 run, gentle shot to mid-on, comfortable single
1.6Boult to K Perera, 2 runs, square driven past point.
SL 12/1 (3 overs)
2.1 Henry to Karunaratne, DOT.
2.2 Henry to Karunaratne, 1 run, helped to fine leg but there is protection there this time
2.3Henry to K Perera, DOT, full delivery, Perera hits it well, cannot find the gap though
2.4Henry to K Perera, DOT.
2.5Henry to K Perera, FOUR, full ball again and Perera takes the aerial route this time. Gets it over the in-field on the off side and it is the second boundary of the innings
2.6Henry to K Perera, DOT.
SL 20/1 (4 overs)
3.1 Boult to Karunaratne, DOT, huge shout from Boult and the slip fielders but that seemed to be going down leg. Karunaratne was deceived by the pace there
3.2Boult to Karunaratne, DOT, "That's a jaffa!" saya the commentator on air. Perfect way to describe the outswinger which evaded the outside edge
3.3Boult to Karunaratne,FOUR, outside edge flies through the vacant gully region. The skipper would not mind though, its his first boundary.
3.4Boult to Karunaratne, 3 runs, good follow up
3.5Boult to K Perera, DOT, shoulders arms to this length delivery
3.6Boult to K Perera, 1 run, quick single, Perera was committed to it from the start.
SL 25/1 (5 overs)
4.1 Henry to K Perera, FOUR, powered straight down the ground. Slant-batted shot and gets the desired result
4.2Henry to K Perera, 1 run, to fine leg
4.3Henry to Karunaratne, DOT.
4.4Henry to Karunaratne, DOT, they think about the single but Karunaratne shouts "No, no, no!" to his partner
4.5Henry to Karunaratne, DOT, defended to short mid wicket
4.6Henry to Karunaratne, DOT.
SL 35/1 (6 overs)
5.1 Boult to K Perera, FOUR, beautifully punched through the off side. Got on top of the bounce and gets it through the gap between cover and extra cover
5.2Boult to K Perera, FOUR, fuller ball, lifted into the boundary in the same region! Good bating this from Kusal Perera, he is looking positive
5.3Boult to K Perera, 1 run.
5.4Boult to Karunaratne, WIDE, too far down the leg side to do any damage
5.4Boult to Karunaratne, DOT, almost chopped on to the stumps! Too early into the punch there
5.5Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
5.6Boult to Karunaratne, DOT, tries to cut too close to his body and it flies above the bat
SL 41/1 (7 overs)
6.1 Henry to K Perera, 1 run.
6.2Henry to Karunaratne, 1 run.
Replays show that Karunaratne did chop the ball from Boult on to the stumps but the bails did not dislodge. This has been seen regularly in the IPL and the 2 games of the WC.
6.3Henry to K Perera, DOT.
6.4Henry to K Perera, 2 runs, excellent fielding from Boult at fine leg. Perera played it fine and Boult threw himself at the ball to save the boundary
6.5Henry to K Perera, DOT.
6.6Henry to K Perera, 2 runs, he is straying to the leg a lot and Perera steals a couple after tapping it
SL 46/1 (8 overs)
7.1 Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
7.2Boult to Karunaratne, WIDE, down leg
Boult is given a warning about his back leg straying onto the danger area in his follow through
7.2Boult to Karunaratne, 1 run.
7.3Boult to K Perera, 2 runs, driven through the gap between point and cover
7.4Boult to K Perera, 1 run, to fine leg.
7.5Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
7.6Boult to Karunaratne, DOT, sofly plays it to gully.
SL 46/2 (8.1 overs)
8.1 Henry to K Perera, OUT, full ball and Perera cannot get it away. Goesvery high in the air and Williamson and de Grandhomme had a slight miscommunication but it ends well in the end. The dangerman is gone!
K Perera c de Grandhomme b Henry 29 (24)
SL 46/3 (8.2 overs)
"One Kusal goes, the other comes in," says Sanga on air. In case you are wondering, it is Kusal Mendis.
8.2Henry to K Mendis, OUT, both Kusals gone now! Beautiful length delivery, moves slightly away at the last moment and Mendis nicks it towards slip where Guptill flies in front of Taylor to take an excellent catch.
K Mendis c Guptill b Henry 0 (1)
SL 50/3 (9 overs)
Dhananjaya de Silva to face the hat-trick ball.
8.3Henry to de Silva, FOUR, beautiful shot first up! Henry goes full looking for the edge but de Silva comes forward and just pushes it past mid-off. The fifty comes up too
8.4Henry to de Silva, DOT.
8.5Henry to de Silva, DOT, big shout from the bowler and close-in fielders but it is just too high
8.6Henry to de Silva, DOT, whizzes past the edge now. Henry breathing fire!
SL 51/3 (10 overs)
9.1 Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
9.2Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
9.3Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
9.4Boult to Karunaratne, 1 run, pushed to mid off
9.5Boult to de Silva, DOT.
9.6Boult to de Silva, DOT.
SL 52/3 (11 overs)
End of the first powerplay
10.1 Henry to Karunaratne, DOT.
10.2Henry to Karunaratne, DOT.
10.3Henry to Karunaratne, 1 run, on top of the bounce, nudged towards fine leg. Karunaratne is the key here to Sri Lanka's fortunes
10.4Henry to de Silva, DOT.
10.5Henry to de Silva, DOT, watched the ball well and tapped this outswinger to the off-side
10.6Henry to de Silva, DOT, nice drive but no reward
SL 53/4 (11.5 overs)
Boult is given a rest. Lockie Ferguson takes over, he has the highest average pace of any bowler at almost 145 kph.
11.1 Ferguson to Karunaratne, 1 run.
11.2Ferguson to de Silva, DOT, shoulders arms
11.3Ferguson to de Silva, DOT, tapped back
11.4Ferguson to de Silva, DOT, good start here from Ferguson, keeping it close to de Silva's body. There is absolutely nothing he can do at the moment to score
11.5Ferguson to de Silva, OUT, looked plumb in real time. Cuts back in after pitching on off and it hits him on the back leg. After a short discussion with his sklpper, he decides not to review it. 147 kph that delivery and the pace caught him out
de Silva lbw b Boult 4 (13)
SL 53/4 (12 overs)
In comes Angelo Mathews and he has to be their messiah here
11.6 Ferguson to Mathews, DOT.
SL 57/4 (13 overs)
12.1 Henry to Karunaratne, WIDE, swings away from the batsman
12.1Henry to Karunaratne, DOT, little short, played to extra cover
12.2Henry to Karunaratne, 2 runs, short again and Karunaratne pulls it along the ground to pick up a couple
12.3Henry to Karunaratne, DOT, pitching outside leg and strikes him on the thigh so no appeal there
12.4 Henry to Karunaratne, DOT, wide outside off and the batsman chases after it, could not reach out though
12.5Henry to Karunaratne, 1 run, to deep mid wicket
12.6Henry to Mathews, DOT, short ball defended to off
SL 58/4 (14 overs)
13.1 Ferguson to Karunaratne, 1 run.
13.2 Ferguson to Mathews, DOT, leaves the bouncer alone
13.3Ferguson to Mathews, DOT, very close! Mathews cannot seem to read it with all his experience as Ferguson squares him up with this straight one
13.4 Ferguson to Mathews, DOT.
13.5Ferguson to Mathews, DOT, half volley and Mathews cannot get it away. He is looking tentative out there, has to stick it out
13.6Ferguson to Mathews, DOT, finally some confidence. Pulls the short ball along the ground but Boult at mid-wicket stops it with a dive
SL 59/5 (14.4 overs)
Second bowling change as on comes Colin de Grandhomme
14.1 de Grandhomme to Karunaratne, DOT.
14.2 de Grandhomme to Karunaratne, 1 run, to third man
14.3 de Grandhomme to Mathews, DOT.
14.4 de Grandhomme to Mathews, OUT, and his nervousness takes him back to the pavilion. Squares him with his medium pace and Mathews can only edge it to Latham and it is a poor dismissal for someone of his calibre.
Mathews c Latham b de Grandhomme 0 (9)
And that's drinks for the players. Great passage of play for New Zealand and Sri Lanka are looking to do a Pakistan from yesterday. Abysmal batting so far.
SL 60/5 (15 overs)
Jeevan Mendis is the new man in.
14.5 de Grandhomme to J Mendis, DOT.
14.6 de Grandhomme to J Mendis, 1 run, just over the flying backward point fielder! Living on the edge are Sri Lanka
SL 60/6 (15.2 overs)
15.1 Ferguson to J Mendis, DOT.
15.2 Ferguson to J Mendis, OUT, another one down! Feet stuck to the crease and the outside edge goes straight to gully, who makes no mistake. Karunaratne must be fuming at the other end.
J Mendis c Neesham b Ferguson 1 (4)
SL 68/6 (16 overs)
Thisara Perera comes out to the middle. He is pinch hitter of the side and I doubt if he will hang around to build an innings. He lives on the edge constantly. Will have to see if its his day or not.
15.3 Ferguson to T Perera, DOT.
15.4Ferguson to T Perera, 3 runs, mistimed past mid on and the fielder gives chase to save a run
15.5Ferguson to Karunaratne, WIDE
15.5Ferguson to Karunaratne, DOT.
15.6Ferguson to Karunaratne, FOUR, he has weathered the storm and Karunaratne brings out a wonderful on-drive to get a much needed boundary.
SL 80/6 (17 overs)
16.1 de Grandhomme to T Perera, 1 run
16.2de Grandhomme to Karunaratne, 1 run.
16.3de Grandhomme to T Perera, 3 runs, great shot past extra cover and Williamson saves a run after a brilliant chase after it. Great committment from the skipper there
16.4de Grandhomme to Karunaratne, 1 run.
16.5de Grandhomme to T Perera, SIX, short ball but Perera has all the time in the world to pull it into the stands at deep mid wicket. He is getting a move on
16.6de Grandhomme to T Perera, DOT
SL 82/6 (18 overs), Perera looking to shift the momentum with his counter attacking shots
17.1 Ferguson to Karunaratne, DOT.
17.2 Ferguson to Karunaratne, DOT.
17.3 Ferguson to Karunaratne, DOT.
17.4Ferguson to Karunaratne, DOT, short ball and awkwardly fended off by Karunaratne
17.5Ferguson to Karunaratne, 1 run.
17.6Ferguson to T Perera, 1 run, makes soom room and Ferguson follows him. Perera somehow gets it away to fine leg
Karunaratne has weathered the storm well
SL 84/6 (19 overs)
18.1 Boult to T Perera, 1 run.
18.2 Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
18.3Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
18.4Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
18.5Boult to Karunaratne, WIDE, tries to entice Karunaratne into the drive but it goes past the tramline
18.5Boult to Karunaratne, DOT, punched but backward point flies across to stop the single
18.6Boult to Karunaratne, DOT, past the outside
SL 92/6 (20 overs)
Neesham into the attack
19.1 Neesham to T Perera, 1 run, Perera says no to the second
19.2 Neesham to Karunaratne, 2 runs.
19.3Neesham to Karunaratne, DOT, again past the edge. They have to target the slower bowlers like Neesham and de Grandhomme
19.4Neesham to Karunaratne, 2 runs, good running as he looks to get a move on, flicks this away and deep mid-wicket mops up
19.5Neesham to Karunaratne, 1 run.
19.6Neesham to T Perera, 2 runs, slashes it away past point and Munro keeps them to two
SL 97/6 (21 overs)
20.1 Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
20.2Boult to Karunaratne, FOUR, great shot! Gets forward to the length, plays across the line but flicks it away well past the vacant mid-wicket region
20.3Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
20.4Boult to Karunaratne, 1 run, flicked away again but much squarer where there is protection in the deep
20.5Boult to T Perera, DOT, Perera is looking to attack everyone but does not time it this time
20.6Boult to T Perera, DOT, full ball to finish
SL 100/6 (22 overs)
First signs of spin and Williamson takes a risk introducing an offie to two southpaws. Mitchell Santner to bowl.
21.1 Santner to Karunaratne, 1 run, quick single stolen
21.2Santner to T Perera, DOT.
21.3 Santner to T Perera, DOT.
21.4Santner to T Perera, 1 run, ohh dropped it there did Santner. Full ball was powered down the ground, Santner puts his hand out but it jsut does not stick. That must have hurt!
21.5Santner to Karunaratne, DOT.
21.6Santner to Karunaratne, 1 run, and the 100 comes up for Sri Lanka. These two need to continue.
SL 111/6 (23 overs)
22.1 Neesham to Karunaratne, 1 run, driven past point
22.2Neesham to T Perera, 1 run.
22.3Neesham to Karunaratne, DOT, full ball and Karunaratne drives it to mid off
22.4Neesham to Karunaratne, 1 run, slightly short, put away to fine leg
22.5Neesham to T Perera, NO BALL, too high and also past the tramline as it slips out Neesham's hand. Free hit!
22.5Neesham to T Perera, SIX, takes full toll of it! Full ball, in Perera's arc and it goes way back into the stands
22.6Neesham to T Perera, 1 run.
SL 112/6 (23.4 overs)
23.1 Santner to T Perera, DOT.
23.2Santner to T Perera, DOT.
23.3Santner to T Perera, DOT.
23.4Santner to T Perera, WIDE
23.4Santner to T Perera, OUT, bowled full and Perera cannot resist the big, booming shot but he does not time it at all. Goes high towards Boult at long-on and it is an easy catch by his lofty standards. Williamson's risk pays off as Santner breaks the budding partnership.
T Perera c Boult b Santner 27 (23)
SL 114/8 (24.4 overs)
Isuru Udana comes in for his WC bow
24.1 Neesham to Karunaratne, 1 run, wanted two but it was not there
24.2Neesham to Udana, DOT, good front foot defence by Udana.
24.3Neesham to Udana, DOT.
24.4Neesham to Udana, OUT, his patience runs thin. Udana chips this half volley to mid on and it is a nothing shot to be honest.
Udana c Henry b Neesham 0 (3)
SL 117/8 (26 overs)
Ferguson is back.
25.1 Ferguson to Karunaratne, DOT, ducks under the short ball
25.2Ferguson to Karunaratne, DOT, he has to attack now to get some respectable score on the board. You have to take the risks now
25.3Ferguson to Karunaratne, 1 run, pacey bouncer and it takes the skipper's glove but it is just too high for Latham. Still counts as a drop.
Williamson calls most of his fielders in for the tail ender
25.4Ferguson to Lakmal, DOT, tries to slog but with zero timing
25.5Ferguson to Lakmal, 1 run, too high for Lakmal to play and Latham cannot get a hold of it again. Byes given
25.6Ferguson to Karunaratne, DOT, makes some room to attack but cannot connect with his upper cut
SL 122/8 (27 overs)
26.1 Boult to Lakmal, DOT, Lakmal is backing away in hopes of getting it away but he couldn't here.
Change of bats for Lakmal after only 5 balls
26.2Boult to Lakmal, DOT.
26.3Boult to Lakmal, DOT, no harakiri there as he sensibly defends it
26.4Boult to Lakmal, FOUR, short ball and Lakmal slashes it away over the covers! Off the mark with a boundary, off Boult too.
26.5Boult to Lakmal, 1 run.
SL 130/8 (28 overs)
27.1 Ferguson to Lakmal, 1 run, slashes again but only to mid off who misfields it but they don't run
27.2Ferguson to Karunaratne, FOUR, unconventional shot from Karunaratne. Moves across his stumps and paddles the full toss to fine leg. Some boundaries coming Sri Lanka's way
27.3Ferguson to Karunaratne, 1 run, he trusts Lakmal enough to take the single
27.4Ferguson to Lakmal, NO BALL, swats the short ball away and they run the single as well. Free hit for Karunaratne who refused the second
27.4 Ferguson to Karunaratne, DOT, backed away and for some reason ducks under the bumper. Was hoping for a wide but nothing doing says the umpire
27.5Ferguson to Karunaratne, DOT, backing away again and fails to connect
27.6Ferguson to Karunaratne, DOT.
SL 130/9 (28.1 overs)
28.1 Boult to Lakmal, OUT, short ball and Lakmal takes his eyes off it and the edge pops up to cover. Simple catch. First wicket for Boult this innings
Lakmal c Santner b Boult 7 (13)
SL 135/9 (29 overs)
Last man in is Lasith Malinga. He has one fifty to his name, against Australia of all opponents. He'll want to emulate it against their trans-Tasman rivals here
28.2 Boult to Malinga, 1 run, dabs it down to third man expertly
28.3 Boult to Karunaratne, DOT.
28.4Boult to Karunaratne, 2 runs, looks to pick it up but mistimes it and hares back for the second. It is fifty for the skipper and what an innings of grit this has been. Leading the way
28.5Boult to Karunaratne, DOT, bowls short and he cannot slash it
28.6Boult to Karunaratne, WIDE, full toss down leg
28.6Boult to Karunaratne, 1 run, full toss flicked away to fine leg
SL 136 (29.2 overs)
29.1 Ferguson to Karunaratne, 1 run, he pulls the short ball well but not enough power behind it. Deep mid-wicket runs in and dives forward beautifully to take it inches from the ground. Third umpire checks it a couple times and oh it has just bounced in front of him. Brilliant effort nevertheless and now Malinga is on strike. That could generate some controversy later on
29.2 Ferguson to Malinga, OUT, and last wicket falls! Malinga makes some room but the full toss is just too good for him and it shatters the stumps. So the skipper carries his bat and he has been the only one who gave some semblance of a fight
Sri Lanka fold up for 136
Bittersweet afternoon for Karunaratne as he gets a fifty on captaincy debut but his batsmen's lack of application mean that they end up with only 136. Karunaratne weathered the storm from the likes of Henry, Boult and Ferguson but he alone could not do anything. The Pereras, Kusal and Thisara, built two important partnerships and counter-attacked well after the Kiwi bowlers put Sri Lanka in a dire situation.
But neither had the patience to build an innings with their captain, perishing to mistimed attacking shots. Angelo Mathews looked all at sea while you cannot really expect the tail to do much when your top and middle-order are misfiring this badly. Williamson will be extremely happy with his bowlers, who backed his decision to bowl first and leave a very easy chase for his batsmen.
Matt Henry was the undoubted star, picking up 3 top order wickets. Lockie Ferguson also picked 3 while Boult, Santner, de Grandhomme, and Neesham picked one each as all of them found their name on the wickets column.
Join us back in a while for New Zealand's chase
NZ 10/0 (1 over)
Lasith Malinga with the new ball
0.1 Malinga to Guptill, DOT, slight bit of width and Guptill drives it but straight to cover
0.2Malinga to Guptill, DOT, outside edgeee and just falls short of second slip. That would have been the perfect start for Sri Lanka
0.3Malinga to Guptill, FOUR, no nerves from Guptill. Width outside off and he swings his arms to get his first boundary
0.4Malinga to Guptill, 1 run, quick single.
Lots of field changes for the left-handed Munro
0.5Malinga to Munro, 1 run, yorks him but Munro gets it away on the leg side to get off the mark
0.6Malinga to Guptill, FOUR, short ball and Malinga does not have the same pace of old. Keeps the pull along the ground Guptill and gets a second boundary for the over.
NZ 13/0 (2 overs)
Lakmal from the other end
1.1 Lakmal to Munro, DOT.
1.2Lakmal to Munro, DOT.
1.3Lakmal to Munro, 2 runs, charges down the pitch and manouevrs the short one towards fine leg
1.4Lakmal to Munro, DOT, shoulders arms to the away swinger
1.5Lakmal to Munro, DOT, swings in this time and Munro brings out the back foot defence
1.6Lakmal to Munro, 1 run.
NZ 16/0 (3 overs)
The Sri Lankan fans are in full flow for Malinga. "Lasith, Lasith!" rings around the stadium
2.1 Malinga to Munro, 1 run.
2.2 Malinga to Guptill, 1 run, easy single
2.3 Malinga to Munro, DOT, full ball dug out to mid off
2.4Malinga to Munro, 1 run, hilarious moment at short mid-wicket there as he put in the slide but fails to gather the ball. They don't run for the second
2.5Malinga to Guptill, DOT, fails to connect with the slash.
2.6Malinga to Guptill, DOT. Good comeback after the pasting he received in his first over
NZ 19/0 (4 overs)
3.1 Lakmal to Munro, 1 leg byes, Munro set off very late but there is no close-in fielder to threaten the throw
3.2Lakmal to Guptill, DOT.
3.3Lakmal to Guptill, DOT, Guptill has simmered down a bit after that first over. Taps this to off
3.4Lakmal to Guptill, 1 run, this time the outside edge goes over third slip. Little scare there
3.5Lakmal to Munro,1 run.
3.6Lakmal to Guptill, DOT.
Proof of the love for Lasith Malinga!
NZ 26/0 (5 overs)
Malinga comes round the wicket
4.1 Malinga to Munro, DOT.
4.2Malinga to Munro, 1 run.
4.3Malinga to Guptill, 1 run.
4.4Malinga to Munro, DOT, dug out to short extra cover
4.5Malinga to Munro, 1 run, quick single
4.6Malinga to Guptill, FOUR, punishes the short ball, pulls it to the square leg boundary
NZ 41/0 (6 overs)
5.1 Lakmal to Munro, WIDE, down leg
5.1Lakmal to Munro, 2 runs, away to square leg who misfields though it does not cost him anything
5.2Lakmal to Munro, DOT, some swing there for Lakmal but it is on leg stump, strikes Munro's pad
5.3Lakmal to Munro, FOUR, first boundary for Munro! He arches back a little to make that extra room, leaps up and cuts the short ball over point.
5.4Lakmal to Munro, SIX, down the pitch and Munro is on attack mode now. Converts the length to a half-volley and sends it way over long on.
Lakmal round the wicket
5.5Lakmal to Munro, DOT.
5.6Lakmal to Munro, 1 run, full ball bunted to deep mid wicket
NZ 50/0 (7 overs)
6.1 Malinga to Munro, FOUR, slashed away through gully, which is vacant for some reason
6.2Malinga to Munro, DOT.
6.3Malinga to Munro, 1 run.
6.4Malinga to Guptill, 2 runs.
6.5Malinga to Guptill, 1 run, over the in field but only a single
6.6Malinga to Munro, 2 runs, good short arm jab towards square leg and there is a round of applause as the two fielders in the deep do some good tag-team work to keep the duo to two. 50 up for NZ
NZ 59/0 (8 overs)
7.1 Lakmal to Guptill, DOT.
7.2Lakmal to Guptill, DOT, shoulders arms to one outside off
7.3Lakmal to Guptill, 2 runs, bottom edge wide of fine leg
7.4Lakmal to Guptill, 1 run, sensible batting. Taps it gently and pinches the single.
7.5Lakmal to Munro, 2 runs, through the gap between point and cover.
7.6Lakmal to Munro, FOUR, goes round the wicket but its on his pads. Munro wrists it away over square leg and this is looking ominous for the Lankans
NZ 68/0 (9 overs)
First bowling change from Karunaratne as Isuru Udana replaces Malinga
8.1 Udana to Guptill, DOT.
8.2Udana to Guptill, DOT, played across the line and does not connect the slog.
8.3Udana to Guptill, FOUR, outside edge goes past first slip. No respite for any bowler
8.4Udana to Guptill, FOUR, top edge this time and Guptill has a wry smile on his face. Knows he has got away with two slogs
8.5Udana to Guptill, 1 run, toe end of the bat but no boundary this time
8.6Udana to Munro, DOT.
NZ 77/0 (10 overs)
Lakmal also given a break. Thisara Perera to bowl
9.1 T Perera to Guptill, DOT.
9.2T Perera to Guptill, FOUR, wristy shot! Picks this from outside off and sends it between deep mid wicket and long on
9.3T Perera to Guptill, DOT.
9.4T Perera to Guptill, 1 run, mistimes the loft and it just about clears Lakmal at mid off. Let off for Guptill
9.5T Perera to Munro, DOT.
9.6T Perera to Munro, FOUR, outside edge and there is no slip to take it. Runs away to third man.
They are looking much less motivated today
NZ 82/0 (11 overs)
End of first powerplay and these two have milked it perfectly
10.1 Udana to Guptill, 1 run.
10.2Udana to Munro, 1 run.
10.3Udana to Guptill, 1 run, tucked to square leg
10.4Udana to Munro, DOT.
10.5Udana to Munro, 1 run, to long on
10.6Udana to Guptill, 1 run.
NZ 101/0 (13 overs)
12.1 Udana to Guptill, 1 run.
12.2Udana to Munro, DOT, drives without any feet and it whizzes past the edge
12.3Udana to Munro, 1 run.
12.4Udana to Guptill, DOT.
12.5Udana to Guptill, 2 runs, flicked away towards mid wicket.
12.6Udana to Guptill, SIX, little shimmy down the pitch and picks it up beautifully over long on. Half-century for Guptill and 100 up for New Zealand!
NZ 109/0 (14 overs)
13.6 T Perera to Munro, DOT, hopeful review from SL, they have to try something and there is no spike on ultra-edge. So they lose their only DRS.
NZ 120/0 (15 overs)
Leg spin introduced with Jeevan Mendis coming into the attack
14.1 J Mendis to Guptill, 2 runs, worked it with his wriststowards long on
14.2 J Mendis to Guptill, DOT.
14.3J Mendis to Guptill, 1 leg byes
14.4J Mendis to Munro, 1 run, towards deep mid-wicket
14.5J Mendis to Guptill, SIX, huge hit! Dances down the track, gets to the pitch and its outta here!
They cannot find the ball as it goes into the river behind the stadium. Have to call for a replacement
14.6J Mendis to Guptill, 1 run, Kedar-like action from Mendis and Guptill cuts it away for a single
And that's drinks with only 17 needed. Don't really understand why, seems quite pointless with the way these two are going
NZ 136/0 (16 overs)
Malinga is back, he has been ineffective today
15.1 Malinga to Guptill, 1 run, slow full ball on leg, nurdled towards square leg
Round the wicket to Munro
15.2Malinga to Munro, 1 run, towards fine leg
Round the wicket to Guptill as well
15.3Malinga to Guptill, 2 runs, good running between the wickets. No need for it really
15.4Malinga to Guptill, WIDE, way too high even for Guptill, who is one of New Zealand's tallest players
15.4Malinga to Guptill, FOUR, loosener from Malinga and Guptill just turns it past fine leg.
15.5Malinga to Guptill, NO BALL, FOUR, replay of the previous ball. And Malinga overstepped for good measure. Free hit coming up!
15.5Malinga to Guptill, DOT, executes the yorker perfectly but it is a bit too late. No runs off the free hit
15.6Malinga to Guptill, 2 runs, and the scores are level!
NZ 137/0 (16.1 overs)
16.1 J Mendis to Munro, 1 run, NZ win! It is a domineering victory and yet another one-sided affair, second consecutive of this World Cup
New Zealand make the best possible start to their WC campaign
New Zealand outplayed Sri Lanka in all departments today. Williamson won the toss and put Sri Lanka in to bat on a surface which a had a green tinge on it. Matt Henry opened the bowling and struck in his first over, getting Thirimanne out leg before, albeit through a review. That wicket pretty much set the tone for the rest of the innings as none of the Sri Lankan batsmen showed any intention to hang around.
Kusal Perera at one down stuck around for a while with skipper Karunaratne and counter-attacked but was bogged down quickly. Kusal Mendis fell off the first ball he faced while Dhananjaya de Silva was deceived by pure pace. Angelo Mathews went without scoring as Karunaratne was left stranded at one end. Thisara Perera then hit a few boundaries but he was consumed by his own instincts and the lower order hung around just long enough to enable their captain to get to his half-century. He ended up carrying his bat as his side's last wicket fell with the score on 136.
The result seemed a foregone conclusion after that lakclustre first innings. Guptill took 10 runs off Malinga's first over to announce his intentions and Munro joined him to attack the Lankan bowlers soon enough. The duo brought up their respective half-centuries a few balls from each other and were locked in a contest among themselves to see who would have the better strike-rate.
Overall, a clinical performance from New Zealand while Sri Lanka will hope that Mathews and Malinga find form quickly and show the way forward for the other youngsters in the team.
Thank you for joining us for the live coverage of the first game for today. You can hop on to follow live updates of the second game, where Australia take on Afghanistan.