By: Tarish Bhatt
New Zealand have given perfect start to their World Cup campaign at home by winning the opening match of the tournament by 98 runs at the Hagley Oval against Sri Lanka today.
All-rounder Corey Anderson and Kane Williamson were instrumental in the Black Caps’ win as they made heavy contributions with the bat, while the former also chipped-in with wickets.
Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews invited New Zealand to bat first and the hosts got off to a perfect start through Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum. The Islanders, however, pulled back things when they got McCullum and Martin Guptill cheaply.
Anderson made crucial partnerships, first with Williamson, then with Grant Elliot and Luke Ronchi. The Black Caps all-rounder was at his dazzling best and scored 46-ball 75 before getting out on the final ball of the innings.
Chasing a mammoth 332, the visitors made a cautious but steady start through Tillakaratne Dilshan and Lahiru Thirimanne. But, the kiwis dismissed Dilshan to break the partnership.
Trent Boult, meanwhile, produced a vicious spell and got the wickets of Thirimanne and dangerous Kumar Sangakkara. From that point onwards, it was just a matter of time for New Zealand to seal the victory and they bundled Sri Lanka for a mere 233 in 46.2 overs.
For New Zealand, Boult, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori and Corey Anderson took two wickets each, as the Kiwi bowlers provided perfect start to their campaign.
