First day First Match Newzealand vs Sri Lanka

Host New Zealand won the first game in the ICC World Cup 2015. Though the Sri Lankans started off well with a 67-runs opening partnership, at one stage they were 124/2 in 23 overs. But after that they lost their way. From 124/2 they crumbled to 168/6. Thirimanne top scored for the Lankans with a 65 off 60 balls. The skipper Angelo Mathews tried but the wickets kept falling at the other end.Brendon McCullum gave the cricket World Cup the explosive opening with a blazing 65 as New Zealand scored an imposing 331 for 6. Kane Williamson also scored his 16th one-day half century, while Grant Elliot (29) and Corey Anderson (75) put on 65 runs in 10 overs after leg-spinner Jeevan Mendis had captured two wickets in two balls to slow the co-hosts scoring. The New Zealand bowlers bowled well, picking wickets at regular intervals and always keeping the pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen. Daniel Vettori was the pick of the bowlers picking 2 wickets and giving away only 34 runs in his quota of 10 overs. He was ably supported by Southee, Boult, Milne and Anderson who all picked up 2 wickets each as well. In all a very professional performance by the Black Caps and they are off the mark in the point's tally. Corey Anderson is adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant all-round performance.  MoM Corey Anderson Match 1st Match, Pool A, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Date Sat, Feb 14, 2015 Toss Sri Lanka won the toss and opt to field Venue Hagley Oval, Christchurch Umpires Marais Erasmus , Nigel Llong 3rd Umpire S Ravi Match Referee David Boon New Zealand Squad Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult Bench: Kyle Mills, Nathan McCullum, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan  Sri Lanka Squad Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, Jeevan Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga Bench: Dinesh Chandimal, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Dushmantha Chameera