New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets to take 1-0 lead

Christchurch, 26 December (CRICKETNMORE) - Martin Guptill (79), Matt Henry (4/49) power New Zealand (191/3) to a comprehensive 7-wicket win against Sri Lanka (188) . They are now 1-0 up in the 5-match series.

Venue : Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Toss : Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first.

Sri Lanka Innings : Matt Henry (4/49) and Doug Bracewell (3/37) shared 7 wickets between them as Sri Lanka folded for 188. Milinda Siriwardana (66), Nuwan Kulasekara (58) contributed with bat for visitors. 

New Zealand Innings : Brilliant fifties from Martin Guptill (79) and Brendon McCullum (55) helped the hosts chased down the target with 174 balls to spare. McCullum registered his fifty in 23 balls, Guptill was just slightly slower and New Zealand got their team 100 in the 9th over. For Sri Lanka Milinda Siriwardana claimed 2 wickets for 45.

Man of the Match : Matt Henry (4/49)

Playing XI

New Zealand : Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Luke Ronchi (wk), Doug Bracewell, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan

Sri Lanka :  Tillakaratne Dilshan, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Angelo Mathews (c), Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dushmantha Chameera, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal