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The BLACKCAPS have made a bright start to their tour of Sri Lanka with a three wicket win over the Sri Lanka Board President's XI.
Sri Lanka were restricted to 219 after winning the toss and batting first with half centuries from Ross Taylor and Scott Styris helping the BLACKCAPS reach the target with 12 overs to spare.
The BLACKCAPS seam attack ripped through the Sri Lankan top order, quickly reducing the home team to 63 for three before a Maharoof (39) and Milinda Siriwardana (41) steadied the innings with a 64 run partnership.
Some late hitting from number nine batsman, Thisara Perera, propelled the score. Coming in at 138 for eight Perera chanced his arm, hitting eight boundaries and two sixes in his unbeaten 62 off 39 deliveries.
Tim Southee took a bit of tap towards the end of the innings, picking up two for 64 runs in his ten overs but the rest of the bowlers were economical with new ball bowlers Daryl Tuffey and Andy McKay the most successful.
Tuffey had figures of two for 34 after removing both openers, while McKay took two for 38.
The BLACKAPS reply got off to a shaky start, lossing BJ Watling early for four and then Martin Guptill for 26 before Ross Taylor and Scott Styris combined for a 95 runs partnership for the second wicket.
Styris was the aggressor, pounding five boundaries and two sixes in his 57 runs of 45 balls. Taylor’s 67 came off 79 deliveries and included seven boundaries and a six.
They then got the wobbles with Grant Elliott going for 10 and Gareth Hopkins 9 before Tuffey came in and blasted 20 off 12 balls, only to be dismissed with the scores level. Jacob Oram (10 off 16) was there at the end.
Next match:
7/08/2010
BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka A
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
9:30am (local time), 4:00pm (NZ time)
