Neesham storm smites Sri Lanka

Martin Guptill celebrated his return to the New Zealand line-up with a masterful century as New Zealand posted 371 for seven in the first one-day international against Sri Lanka in Tauranga on Thursday.

All-rounder James Neesham blitzed Thisara Perera for five sixes in an over to scorch Sri Lanka with an unbeaten 47 off 13 deliveries as New Zealand posted a monstrous total against Sri Lanka. Kusal Perera struck ton for the visitors but were bowled out for 326 as Neesham then bagged three wickets with the ball.

Earlier, New Zealand rode on a Martin Guptill ton to propel the hosts towards a big total. Sri Lanka were provided a great start by their opening pair of Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka as they put on 119 partnership. Dickwella was scalped by Neesham after a terrific  50-ball 76 and except Perera, none of the other batters made meaningful contributions as the Lankans fell short by 45 runs.

Guptill, who had been sidelined by injury in recent months, blasted 138 off 139 deliveries after captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat.

There were 14 sixes in the New Zealand innings, six of them from Neesham and five from Guptill who also smacked 11 fours in the course of his 14th ODI century.

Guptill became the ninth fastest batsman to reach 6,000 ODI runs during his innnings, achieving the milestone in his 160th match at an average of 43.67.

Williamson was also in sight of a century until he miscued an attempted late cut and chopped a short Nuwan Pradeep delivery on to his stumps and was out for 76 while Ross Taylor made 54.

Neesham took 33 off the penultimate over when he smacked Kusal Perera for five sixes, a single and a two with the two coming off one of five no balls from full tosses above waist height.

Lasith Malinga, who finished with two for 78, fired three full tosses above waist height but escaped censure while Pradeep received an official warning after firing one high full-toss at Taylor.