The Black Caps have won the opening game of the Cricket World Cup against Sri Lanka by 98 runs in Christchurch.
Corey Anderson batting during the opening Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Photo: Photosport
A six-over batting blitz from Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi helped New Zealand to an impressive 331-6, which proved too much in the end for the visitors.
Sri Lanka made a solid start to their run-chase but once Lahiru Thirimanne was bowled by Trent Boult for 65 in the 22nd over, wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
The captain Angelo Mathews was the second highest run scorer for Sri Lanka, with 46.
It was a team effort by New Zealand's bowlers - Boult, Tim Southee and Adam Milne picking up two wickets each.
The veteran spin bowler Daniel Vettori also picked up a pair and conceeded only 34 runs off his 10 overs.
Man of the match recipient Corey Anderson also chipped in with two wickets.
The pressure mounted and Sri Lanka were dismissed for 233 in the 47th over.
New Zealand's innings
After losing the toss and being put in to bat at Hagley Oval, the New Zealand openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill launched into the Sri Lankan bowling attack.
The pair put on 111 for the opening stand before McCullum holed out, caught on the long off boundary for 65 off just 39 balls.
McCullum signalled his intentions from the outset hitting boundaries off the first two balls he faced.
Guptill, playing his 100th one day international for New Zealand was joined by Kane Williamson and they took the score through to 136 when Guptill was caught behind for 49, off 62 balls.
The Sri Lankan bowlers then clawed back the run rate while Williamson and Taylor were new to the crease.
Williamson upped the ante going on to make 57 off 64 balls but Taylor struggled and was stumped for just 14 off 28 balls, both those wickets falling at 193 and off consecutive balls.
Grant Elliott and Corey Anderson carried the score through to 258-5 when Elliott went for 29, prompting Anderson to go on the offensive.
Having been joined by keeper Luke Ronchi the pair soon found their stride as they bludgeoned 73 runs off the remaining six overs.
Anderson was dismissed on the final ball of the innings having made 75 off 46 balls, including eight fours and two sixes.
Ronchi finished unbeaten on 29 (19).
Any concerns about fast bowler Lasith Malinga's return to the Sri Lankan bowling lineup after a lengthy injury break proved unfounded, with Malinga going wicketless in his ten overs and clobbered for 84 runs.
Follow live commentary of NZ vs Sri Lanka here.
Sri Lankan fans at Hagley Oval Photo: Photosport
New Zealand:
Brendon McCullum (c)
Corey Anderson
Trent Boult
Grant Elliott
Martin Guptill
Adam Milne
Luke Ronchi (wk)
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Daniel Vettori
Kane Williamson