Kiwis thrash Lankans in WC opener

A moment from the New Zealand team's celebration during the World Cup 2015 opener match at Christchurch on February 14, 2015. Photo: ICC

Hosts New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 98 runs in the opening match of the ICC World Cup 2015 at Christchurch today.

Kiwis set the tone with their batting piling up 331 riding on a number of integral knocks, after being put in to bat first, and continued through with disciplined bowling.

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For Sri Lanka, fragile bowling and inconsistent batting heralded their day.

Openers Brendon McCullum (capt), 65, and Guptil, 49, began the New Zealand innings on a high note. Williamson, 57, and Anderson, 75, played their part in the challenging total.

Mendis, Lakmal took two wickets each while Kulasekara and Herath shared two apiece.

In reply, Lankans started slow with openers struggling to make ease at crease. Dilshan, 24, eventually fell after a prolonged time on the field failing to make proper contact with the ball.

Player of the Match is Corey Anderson for his crushing 75 off 46 balls & 2 wickets, Here's his #TwitterMirror shot! pic.twitter.com/FD0Ks2G7X5

— ICC (@ICC) February 14, 2015

Thirimane, 65, and skipper Mendis, 46, were the only ones who could make a real stand.

Tim Southee, Boult, Milne, Vettori and Corey Anderson claimed two wickets apiece to curb down on Sri Lanka and beat them by a big margin.

New Zealand Team

MJ Guptill, BB McCullum (C), KS Williamson, LRPL Taylor, GD Elliott, CJ Anderson, L Ronchi (WK), DL Vettori, TG Southee, AF Milne, TA Boult

Sri Lanka Team

TM Dilshan, HDRL Thirimanne, KC Sangakkara (WC), DPMD Jayawardene, AD Mathews (C), FDM Karunaratne, BMAJ Mendis, KMDN Kulasekara, RAS Lakmal, HMRKB Herath, SL Malinga