New Zealand produced a clinical display with both bat and ball to rout a hapless Sri Lankan side by 10 wickets in an ICC World Cup 2019 match, in Cardiff on Saturday.
Chasing 137 runs to win, Kiwi openers Colin Munro (58*) and Martin Guptill (73*) made short work of the target in 16.1 overs. None of the Sri Lankan bowlers could make any inroads, with their most experienced bowler and former captain Lasith Malinga giving away 46 runs in five overs.
Earlier, being put into bat by New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, Sri Lanka had no answer to Matt Henry's pace and swing as he ran through their top order with 3/29 in seven overs. He was ably supported by Lockie Ferguson, who chipped in with three wickets.
Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was the lone batsman to put up a fight, with an impressive 52*.
His 52-run stand with Thisara Perera, who made 27 off 23 balls, was all that stood between Sri Lanka and complete humiliation.
The left-handed Karunaratne, who returned to the ODI side after a gap of four years, then put on 42 runs for the second wicket with Kusal Perera.
Henry's early strikes, including two in successive deliveries, pushed Sri Lanka on the back foot on 53 for four in just the 12th over. They never recovered from the early onslaught.
Pacers Colin de Grandhomme, James Neesham, Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner, the team's only spinner, claimed a wicket each.
(With PTI inputs)
