Sri Lanka make 288-9 against New Zealand

Hambantota: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews hit half-centuries as Sri Lanka scored 288-9 in the first one-day international against New Zealand in Hambantota on Sunday.

Stand-in captain Kyle Mills, who won the toss and elected to field, gave the tourists a flying start when he trapped opener Dimuth Karunaratne leg-before with the first delivery of the innings. Dilshan and Sangakkara, however, settled in to pulverise the Black Caps during a second-wicket partnership of 137. Sangakkara made 79 off 81 balls with nine boundaries and two sixes, while Dilshan scored 81. Left-arm spinner Anton Devcich dealt a double blow when he removed Sangakkara and former captain Mahela Jayawardene in the space of four deliveries to reduce Sri Lanka to 139-3. But Dilshan put on 58 for the fourth wicket with skipper Angelo Mathews, who smashed nine fours and a six in an unbeaten 74 off 64 balls. Mills, who was named captain for the tour after regular skipper Brendon McCullum was rested, was New Zealand`s most successful bowler with three for 49. Mitchell McClenaghan and Devcich claimed two wickets each. The Black Caps will play three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games on their brief tour.