Thilan Samaraweera's maiden limited-overs century helped save Sri Lanka from a disastrous start and lift them to a competitive 216-7 against New Zealand on Tuesday in the opening match of the tri-nation series which also features India. Coming on to bat with his team struggling on 22-3 Samaraweera remained at the crease despite losing two batting partners in quick succession before settling down with Angelo Mathews for a 127-run partnership,a record stand for the sixth wicket between the two sides. Samaraweera,regarded as a Test specialist and not considered for limited-over matches for almost four years,was eventually bowled by seamer Ian Butler for 104. He faced 124 balls and hit 10 boundaries. Mathews brought up his second limited-overs fifty and was out for 51 runs off 60 balls bowled by seam bowler Shane Bond. Mathews' innings included four boundaries. Sri Lanka's captain Kumar Sangakkara earlier won the toss and opted to bat first,hoping to build a big total on a R.Premadasa Stadium pitch which normally helps the bowlers under lights. But his openers failed and the middle order crumbled under pressure as the hosts lost five wickets for 69 runs. New Zealand's bowlers conceded just 38 runs in the first 15 overs. Seam bowler Daryl Tuffey,playing his first international on tour,broke through in the first over bowling Tillakeratne Dilshan for four. Mahela Jayawardene then departed without scoring in the next over caught by Ross Taylor at slip off Bond. Sanath Jayasuriya struggled to score against some tight bowling and finally perished trying to force the ball over third-man,caught by Butler. Sangakkara faced 47 balls for his 18 runs before being caught by Jacob Oram off Butler to leave the host team 38-4. Samaraweera and Thilina Kandamby then combined for a brief stand sharing 31 runs for the fifth wicket before Kandamby was caught by Taylor off spinner Daniel Vettori. Bond was the pick of the bowlers,finishing with 3-43 while Butler returned 2-55.
