New Zealand cruise to impressive victory

Two days ago New Zealand's players were enduring sub zero temperatures in Christchurch. Today they looked at home in the sticky heat of Colombo, as they effortlessly overcame a young Sri Lanka A side in their one and only warm-up game.

Indeed, as practice matches go, this was about as good as it gets. The cloudy skies protected the players from the harsh rays of the sun, the batsmen made excellent use of a fine batting wicket, and all the bowlers had a decent chance to find some rhythm. The Sri Lankans even acquiesced when the tourists asked to play a 12-a-side game.

Perhaps they would have preferred a higher tempo game. Certainly this encounter will bear little resemblance to the first game of the Coca Cola Cup on Wednesday against Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, when you have so few days to acclimitise, this was probably perfect.

Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain was delighted: "The quality of the play that we saw today was a bit of a surprise considering that we have had such a long break. I think we had a very good day.

"I had to keep retiring the batsmen which is always a good sign and we generally did the little things well. The bowlers were disciplined and bowled as a group," he said.

"It's going to be a different kettle of fish on Wednesday though when the pressure is on," he admitted. "We have to maintain or lift our performance, but if we stick to the quality of today then we should be there or there about."

New Zealand made full use of Sri Lanka's generous offer to bat first and rattled up 293 for six in their 50 overs. Every batsman contributed and only three were dismissed properly, the others all retired to let their teammates have a swing.

Then their bowlers dismantled the Sri Lankan batting with surprising ease, bowling them out for 128 in 36.5 overs. This was by no means a poor batting line-up either; five of the players have played One-Day Internationals and the others are regular members of the Sri Lanka A team.

The tone of the day was set from the very first ball of the match, which was punched to the square boundary by Matthew Sinclair. He went on to score an imposing 64 from 70 balls and added 119 for the first wicket with Nathan Astle, who scored a solid 48 from 66 balls.

Sri Lanka then enjoyed their best period of the game. Leg spinner Upul Chandana caught and bowled Astle and, with off spinner Thilan Samaraweera also bowling economically, the New Zealand batsmen were held in check for a short while.

Eventually the dismissal of Fleming, who scored 22 from 35 balls, raised the tempo of the innings again. Craig McMillan decided enough was enough and promptly smashed Muthumuldalige Pushpakumara for 21 in an over. He brought up his fifty with a six off 51 balls and retired at the end of the over.

Both Lou Vincent (26*) and Chris Harris (28*) then played a couple of run-a-ball cameos before making way for Dion Nash and Adam Parore in the closing overs.

The Kiwi opening bowlers wasted no time in putting the Sri Lankan's under pressure and by the fourth over the home side were already 11 for two.

Upeka Fernando, batting with a runner, threatened a bruising innings, but having cracked consecutive boundaries off Darryl Tuffey, he flashed wildly and was caught at slip by the skipper.

Kyle Mills was the pick of the seamers, conceding just eight runs from his five over opening spell. He grabbed two wickets too: Michael Vandort who he trapped lbw and Tillakaratne Dilshan caught at mid on.

With Sri Lanka on 39 for four the game looked buried and although Samaraweera impressed with 41 from 90 balls the home side never threatened thereafter.

New Zealand will now practice tomorrow before their first game on Wednesday against Sri Lanka, which will be played under lights.