New Zealand make light work of dismal Sri Lanka

New Zealand celebrate a wicket during their demolition of Sri Lanka

New Zealand needed only 30.2 overs to bowl Sri Lanka out for just 136 at Sophia Gardens after winning the toss and electing to bowl. For the Sri Lankans, Dimuth Karunaratne became only the second batsman - after Ridley Jacobs in 1999 - to carry the bat in a World Cup, finishing with 52 not out off 84 balls in a patient and controlled innings when more often than not the Sri Lankans seemed impatient and frantic. Only the two Perera's, wicket-keeper Kusal and all-rounder Thisara making double figures. As dismal as the Sri Lankans were, New Zealand were excellent with the ball in hand. Matt Henry struck with just his second ball, successfully reviewing an LBW decision giving not out by umpire Ian Gould, before picking up the next two wickets to single handedly bring Sri Lanka down to 3 for 42 off just 8.2 overs, eventually finishing with 3 for 29. Lockie Ferguson was New Zealand's best, also picking up 3 wickets but bowled with sharp pace, regularly operating past the 90mph mark. Mitch Santner, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme and James Neesham all picking up a wicket each. Setting New Zealand only 137 to win, Sri Lanka needed early wickets but they weren't forthcoming, instead 10 runs coming off the first over from Lasith Malinga with Martin Guptill twice finding the boundary. It set the tone for the remainder of the innings, with Guptill and Colin Munro combining for an unbeaten 138 run stand, passing the total off just 16.1 overs. Guptil, who was our player to watch, finished with 75 off just 51 balls which included eight-fours and 2 sixes, whilst Colin Munro was just as destructive scoring 57off 46 balls, hitting six boundaries but only the solitary six.

THE STAR

Guptill on his way to an unbeaten 73.

Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry may have done the damage to set up the win, but Martin Guptill was the most impressive and stamped his authority onto this tournament. A lofted cover drive and a pull shot to the boundary in the first over set the tone for the Kiwis who ended up romping home in just 16.1 overs. Guptill finished with 73 off just 51 balls, whilst his opening partner followed his lead with 57 off 46. Expect more innings like this from Guptill in this tournament. THE MOMENT

Mitchell Santner claims a catch which clearly brushed the ground.

Mitchell Santner claimed a catch to claim the final wicket for the New Zealanders only for the soft signal of out to be overturned correctly on review. Santner would not have known the ball had brushed the ground, and the moment actually came the very next ball. Given a reprieve, Lasith Malinga backed away to let his stumps be rattled by a Lockie Ferguson thunderbolt, showing the differentiating mindsets of the two nations. The overturned final wicket would have unsettled many fielding sides, but it was business as usual for the Kiwis who are showing themselves to be the real deal. Can they go all the way? THE FAILURE

Lasith Malinga failed to have any impact in the match.

Most would agree that Lasith Malinga is Sri Lanka's greatest attacking weapon, but he failed to show it in Sri Lanka's opening match. It was not the fact he went wicket-less, it was the way in which he did. Going at 9.2 an over off his five overs, the spearhead of the attack failed to lead his attack. If Malinga was able to reign the runs in, the New Zealand innings may have gone somewhat differently. It may have been a defeat still for the Sri Lankans, but it may have been littered with a few good overs, wickets and something to take away. WHAT NEXT – Sri Lanka have a chance to redeem themselves against the rising Afghanistan on Tuesday, whilst New Zealand take on Bangladesh on Wednesday.

UNDERWAY & TOMORROW – Afghanistan are currently 77 for 4 off 20 overs. Tomorrow, South Africa will try and bounce back from their defeat against England when they take on Bangladesh in their first match of the World Cup