Matt Henry claimed four wickets and Will Young scored an unbeaten 90 Sunday as New Zealand coasted to a nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The tourists never recovered after slumping to 23-4 inside 10 overs, dismissed in the 44th over for 178 after being asked to bat in cold, windy Wellington.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In response, Young was barely flustered during a fluent 86-ball knock, putting on 93 for the opening stand with Rachin Ravindra, who scored 45.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mark Chapman was not out 29 as the home side reached the target from 26.2 overs in an emphatic start to the three-match series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Coming off a productive Test series against England, Henry was a handful with the new ball in seam-friendly conditions, taking the key wicket of opener Pathum Nissanka for nine in the fifth over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The relentless seamer returned to help mop up the tail, finishing with 4-19 off 10 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Seamers Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy snared two wickets each, capitalising on bouncy conditions offering some sideways movement at the Basin Reserve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Captain Mitchell Santner praised the patience shown by his pace attack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The boys up front did the job with the ball but when there's movement there, you're expected to take wickets," Santner said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We were patient, especially at the start, and were able to chip our wickets out that way. All four seamers did a hell of a job."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Opener Avishka Fernando rode out the early storm to top score with 56 off 63 balls, hitting six fours and a six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He put on 87 for the fifth wicket with Janith Liyanage, who departed for 36, caught in the deep.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Off-spinner Santner took one wicket and three catches, as well as executing a sharp run-out of danger man Kamindu Mendis with a direct hit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tailenders Wanindu Hasaranga (35) and Chamidu Wickramasinghe (22) scored late runs before both were caught off Henry.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Batting conditions improved and the in-form Young took advantage, hitting 12 fours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 32-year-old was named player of the series following the 3-0 Test sweep in India and scored 42 and 60 in his only appearance during the home Test series loss to England before Christmas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wickramsinghe took the only wicket, when Ravindra was caught on the deep square leg boundary.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Visiting skipper Charith Asalanka refused to blame the cold and blustery conditions for a substandard display.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We knew when we came here it's too windy and it's going be hard for us but that is not the reason we lost," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"As professionals we have to play any kind of situation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think they bowled really nicely up front and it's hard for us to come back."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The second game is in Hamilton on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n