Guptill, rain save New Zealand, South Africa down Sri Lanka

Christchurch: Opener Martin Guptill hit a fighting hundred before rain saved New Zealand`s shambolic batting against Zimbabwe while South Africa beat Sri Lanka in World Cup warm-up games on Monday.

Guptill hit the 86-ball century as New Zealand wilted to 157-7 in 30.1 overs after winning the toss, before heavy rain washed out the match.

Seamers Elton Chigumbura (2-21) and Tinashe Panyangara (2-28) jolted the New Zealand batting, with wickets falling at regular intervals at Bert Sutcliffe Oval.

New Zealand`s batting stars Brendon McCullum (eight) and Kane Williamson (six) fell by the fifth over, before Guptill added 43 with Ross Taylor, who made 11.

Guptill hit 13 boundaries and two sixes before he fell to part-timer Sikandar Raza just before rain brought the game to an end.

Sri Lanka were helped to 279-7 in 44.4 overs by opener Tillakaratne Dilshan`s 83-ball 100 before rain reduced their innings at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

Dilshan, who smashed 15 fours and two sixes, added 74 with Dimuth Karunaratne who made 46.

Sri Lanka`s stylish batsman Kumar Sangakkara managed 31.

South Africa, given a revised target of 188 in 25 overs, cruised home with Quinton de Kock (66) and Hashim Amla scoring 46.

De Kock hit six fours and two sixes in his 55-ball knock.

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took three for 22 to give Sri Lanka a chance of victory but Rilee Rossouw (16) and Vernon Philander (13) saw them through with three deliveries to spare.

New Zealand open their World Cup campaign in Group A against Sri Lanka at Christchurch on February 14, while Zimbabwe meet South Africa in Group B match at Hamilton a day later.