NZ cruise to win over Sri Lanka

First one-day international, Auckland:
New Zealand 144-3 beat Sri Lanka 141 by seven wickets

Match scorecard

Cairns drew on all his experience to nullify Sri Lanka's threat

New Zealand outplayed Sri Lanka to ease to a seven-wicket victory in the first one-dayer in Auckland.

Stephen Fleming made an unbeaten 77 as New Zealand reached their miniscule target of 142 with 17 overs to spare in a one-sided contest.

Earlier, Chris Cairns took 4-33 as Sri Lanka were bowled out in 42 overs.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (48) and Sanath Jayasuriya (43) provided the only real resistance in Sri Lanka's bitterly disappointing batting display.

New Zealand looked to be making heavy weather of their chase when opener Nathan Astle went lbw to Chaminda Vaas in the first over.

But a stand of 57 for the second wicket between Fleming and Matthew Sinclair settled any nerves.

If we maintain a roll and keep them down, then the series will get away from them NZ skipper Stephen Fleming More reaction

Scott Styris was run out for 12 but Hamish Marshall and Fleming had more than enough to hammer home the victory.

Sri Lanka looked to be paying the price for their rain-hit preparations.

The Sri Lankan batsmen faced only 10 overs before their opening tour match was rained off, while the second was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

In overcast conditions, the Kiwis - who had won the toss - wasted no time in asserting themselves as Daryl Tuffey trapped Saman Jayantha lbw with the third ball of the match.

After Jayantha's early exit, Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene all went for low scores.

Kyle Mills, who returned 1-24 in eight tight overs, had Sangakkara caught for one but afterwards complained of back soreness and is doubtful for the second match in Napier on Wednesday.

And Cairns accounted for both Jayasuriya and Dilshan - as well as Vaas and Farveez Maharoof - to end any hopes Sri Lanka had of rallying.

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New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Mathew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Hamish Marshall, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey.

Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Saman Jayantha, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Kulasekara, Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando.

Umpires: Peter Parker (AUS), Billy Bowden (NZL).

Referee: Mike Procter (RSA)