New Zealand bowlers continue their form from recent series against England.
Sir Lanka’s batting line-up has been embarrassed by New Zealand’s attack, after they were dismissed inside of 38 overs for just 138 runs in Cardiff.
Amazingly eight of the Sri Lankan batsmen were out before they reached double figures, with only Kumar Sangakkara proving any resistance with 68 off 161 balls, as he desperately tried to hold his side together.
Mitch McLenaghan was the star for the Black Caps attack in taking 4-43 off just 8.5 overs as he and Kyle Mills (2-14 off six) ripped through the Sri Lanka top-order.
Daniel Vettori made his long-awaited return from injury for the Black Caps and he was solid in snaring 1-16 off six, but by then the damage had been done.
At one stage the Sri Lankans were in real danger of not making triple figures as they slumped to be 65-5.
As it to underline the embarrassment for their opponents, New Zealand actually began their innings before the scheduled mid-innings break would normally occur, as the Sri Lankans battled against the odds to avoid a heavy first-up defeat in Pool A.
At the offcial lunch-break, New Zealand were 26-1 after they lost Luke Ronchi, who has been badly out of form since making his debut for New Zealand, for just seven.
Despite being one down, the Kiwis are still well in control needing a only 113 more runs from 44 overs.
Champions Trophy
Sri Lanka v New Zealand
Played at Cardiff
Sri Lanka
K. Perera c B. McCullum b Mills 0
T. Dilshan b McClenaghan 20
K. Sangakkara c Williamson b N. McCullum 68
M. Jayawardene lbw b Vettori 4
D. Chandimal c Ronchi b Mills 0
A. Mathews b McClenaghan 9
L. Thirimanne run out 9
T. Perera c Vettori b McClenaghan 15
R. Herath not out 8
S. Eranga c Mills b N. McCullum 0
L. Malinga c Taylor b McClenaghan 2
Extras: (lb1, w2) 3
Total (all out, 37.5 overs) 138
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (K. Perera), 2-27 (Dilshan), 3-33 (Jayawardene), 4-34 (Chandimal), 5-65 (Mathews), 6-82 (Thirimanne), 7-118 (T. Perera), 8-135 (Sangakkara), 9-135 (Eranga), 10-138 (Malinga)
Bowling: Mills 6-0-14-2, McClenaghan 8.5-0-43-4 (w1), Vettori 6-1-16-1, Southee 7-1-25-0 (w1), N. McCullum 8-0-23-2, Williamson 2-0-16-0
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