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 December 28, 2006 (Link to Scorecard)

New Zealand's inexperienced bowling attack had no answers to Sanath Jayasuriya's caning and what looked like a competitive target of 286 was knocked off with 10 overs to spare! Sri Lanka have won the first ODI by 7 wickets under perfect batting conditions at a small McLean Park in Napier.

Sanath Jayasuriya faced just 82 balls to smash 111 which was his 23rd ODI century. It wasn't just him but his young opening partner, Upul Tharanga who was equally impressive matching Jayasuriya's strokeplay with some crispy boundaries. Both the openers put on 201 in just 24.1 overs which should go on as one of the best opening partnerships ever. Tharanga made 68 off 73 with 9 fours. But Jayasuriya was even more destructive as he cracked 12 fours and five boundaries as McLean Park looked like a small playground and the NZ bowlers looking club level. Michael Mason, the new ball bowler was taken apart for 60 in 6 overs while the other bowlers with the exception of Skipper Daniel Vettori took plenty of beating.

Mahela Jayawardene was unbeaten on 34 along with a scratchy Marvan Atapattu when Sri Lanka had coasted to victory. Kumar Sangakkara too had a nice time with the bat enjoying himself with a quick 36.

New Zealand are being led by Daniel Vettori for this game and the next one at Queenstown on the 31st with the selectors deciding to rest Stephen Fleming. The Kiwis who won the toss and elected to bat first had fallen about 40 runs short to what they should have scored on a belter of a strip. They ended up at 285 for 8 with a maiden century coming from the much talked about youngster, Ross Taylor. The 22-year-old Taylor made 128 in just his third ODI and had laid the foundation for his side with a 151-run partnership with Nathan Astle, who made 83 from 87 with 8 fours and two sixes. Taylor's 128 had come in 133 balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes.

New Zealand had lost their way in the slog overs due to some great death bowling from Lasith Malinga, Chaminda Vaas and others. Chaminda Vaas was the most successful bowler of the day with 3 for 50 in his 10. The Man of the Match award had to go to Sanath Jayasuriya whose innings had over shadowed Ross Taylor's. 

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