Sri Lankan fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera produced a late burst on day one to bring Sri Lanka back in to the game but Martin Guptill’s return to form century was the highlight on day one after the Kiwis were sent into bat by Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews at the University Oval in Dunedin.
New Zealand got off to a sedate start in seamer friendly conditions with the openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham putting on 56 runs for the first wicket before Suranga Lakmal broke through with the scalp of Latham. That brought in Kane Williamson who was in rich form and him together with Guptill put on 173 for the second wicket before Williamson was dismissed on the stroke of tea for 88.
Ross Taylor came and went but McCullum joined Guptill and they put on a quick fire fourth wicket stand of 89 with McCullum doing bulk of the damage making 75 off just 57 balls to entertain the crowd at the University Oval with some lusty blows.
Guptill was under pressure before this series with a set of low scores against Australia but he battled his way through to a career saving 156 batting through till late in the day as wickets kept falling around him but he was eventually dismissed for a magnificent 156 which included 21 fours when he slashed at a wide one from skipper Angelo Mathews.
The Sri Lankan attack truly missed the now veteran seamer Dhammika Prasad who had to return with a back injury that could prove costly for the visitors. However, young Dushmantha Chameera produced a brilliant spell late on day one for Sri Lanka capturing the wickets of Santner and Watling as the Sri Lankans clawed their way back into the game with six crucial wickets during the last session as the kiwis ended day one on 409/8 with Doug Bracewell unbeaten on 32*.
Chief scores:
New Zealand- 409/8(90 overs) Martin Guptill 156, Kane Williamson 88, Brendon McCullum 75, Doug Bracewell 32*, S Lakmal 2/69, N Pradeep 2/101, D Chameera 2/101
Vs
Sri Lanka
