Cricket: Stunning opener puts us on track

NZ captain Stephen Fleming hit eight boundaries and two sixes on his way to 77 not out against Sri Lanka. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Stephen Fleming's unbeaten 77 - his 38th half century in one-day internationals - led New Zealand to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka at Eden Park yesterday.

The victory on the opening day of the National Bank Series gave the home side a flying start in their bid to replace the visitors in second place on the ICC's international one-day rankings.

From the time restored pace bowler Daryl Tuffey trapped Sri Lankan opener Saman Jayantha with the fourth delivery of his first over, this never figured as a high-scoring game.

Predictions the pitch would be too bowler-friendly for a decent contest had an ominous ring as the visitors slumped to 18 for three inside half an hour.

Sensing it might not go too long, the 20,000-plus crowd got behind New Zealand and were rewarded by another smart fielding effort supporting some well-directed bowling on a drop-in pitch which at times produced variable bounce but generally settled to play well.

Chris Cairns, the fourth bowler used by Fleming after his top three had worked through the opening 17 overs, removed Sanath Jayasuriya (for 43), in his 333rd ODI, and Tillakaratne Dilshan (48) - the only Sri Lankan batsmen to venture beyond 20.

In less than three hours the visitors' innings had run its course.

Cairns worked his way through eight overs to finish with four for 33 but was denied a second ODI five-wicket bag when umpire Billy Bowden turned down what the bowler thought "was a pretty good shout" late in the innings.

There were a couple of anxious moments for the New Zealand bowlers - Cairns, at one point, fell awkwardly on his delivery stride but later admitted that other than his pride there was no problem.

It might be more serious for opening bowler Kyle Mills, who got through eight useful overs before calling it a day.

He was checked for a back problem and Fleming later admitted it could lead to a selection issue for the second ODI in Napier on Wednesday.

Chasing 142 for the win, even the early loss of Nathan Astle at the top of the New Zealand order did not cause the same concern the Sri Lankans had earlier experienced.

Mathew Sinclair joined Fleming and in a little over an hour helped add 57 runs for the second wicket to lay the foundation for what proved a comfortable chase for victory.

Fleming soon took the senior role and, finding few terrors in the six-man Sri Lankan attack, paced himself in posting a compact half century before ending the day unbeaten.

The skipper lost Scott Styris with the total on 101 when he just failed to make his ground after setting off on a run that was not there.

At first look, it appeared Styris was comfortably home but a second look justified umpire Peter Parker's decision "to go upstairs" with the batsman just short.

Hamish Marshall joined Fleming and wasted little time as they added the 41 runs needed with the captain taking the opportunity to hit out, smacking eight boundaries and a couple of sixes.

It was the start the home side wanted and puts them on the road to a keenly-sought series triumph.

On their last visit, in 2000-01, Sri Lanka won the first four matches on their way to a 4-1 romp.

On what they showed yesterday, New Zealand might be eyeing something similar this time.