Henry, McCullum lead New Zealand rout of Sri Lanka

Brendon McCullum began a valedictory tour of his homeland with a half century which lifted New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Saturday and a 1-0 lead in the five-match one-day series.

Williamson was a late omission from the first game of the five-match series against Sri Lanka at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.

The decision backfired in the light of some excellent new ball bowling by Matt Henry who picked up the wickets of Dilshan (9), Thiramanne (1), Chandimal (5), and Matthews (0) as Sri Lanka were reduced to 27/5 inside 10 overs.

It was expected to be an easy chase for New Zealand, who has a fantastic record at home in recent times, and McCullum, the captain, made it even easier, smashing 55 off just 25 balls, his hurricane knock studded with 11 fours and a six.

Milinda Siriwardana (66), who was dropped at deep midwicket by Nicholls on 10, and Nuwan Kulasekara (58), however, combined for a 98-run seventh-wicket partnership to give Sri Lanka some credibility.

While the Sri Lanka top order capitulated after winning the toss, it was the opposite for McCullum and Guptill.

Adam Milne (1-30) impressed as much as Henry with the new ball, bowling at close to 150kmh in his return to the Black Caps and claiming the early scalp of Danushka Gunathilaka (8).

Just as the duo looked intimidating, New Zealand struck twice in successive overs to dismiss both Siriwardana and Kulasekara to leave Sri Lanka at 164 for eight.

The tourists’ hopes had virtually disappeared when they slumped to 5-27, destroyed by Matt Henry’s devastating opening spell of 4-26. McCullum was well supported by Martin Guptill. “We just need to bowl in the right areas more often”.

“That’s a big loss, what a contributor he’s been over a number of years for Sri Lanka”.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews was disappointed the way his side folded in the Tests but expected a better showing in the limited overs series. He finished with 4-49.

Kulasekara fell in the following over when Ronchi held on for an incredible one-handed catch off Mitchell McClenaghan.

New Zealand were set a modest 189 target after Henry ensured they would not feel the absence of pace spearheads Trent Boult and Tim Southee, when in 16 balls he took four wickets for two runs.

The two sides will meet again at the same venue for the second ODI on Monday.