Agence France Presse
Christchurch, Dec 26: Brendon McCullum (55, 25b, 11×4, 1×6) launched his farewell tour in rollicking form Saturday with a whirlwind knock to set up New Zealand’s seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their opening ODI here. When he departed, New Zealand required 81 runs in 40 overs.
Martin Guptill (79, 56b, 9×4, 4×4) then batted with aggressive intent to take the hosts closer to victory. He left with 27 still required, but debutant Henry Nicholls (23 n o) ensured the win.
New Zealand were set a modest 189 target after Matt Henry (4/49) destroyed the Sri Lankan top order in a brief spell of 16 balls when he took four wickets for two runs.
Sri Lanka were eventually all out for 188 on a wicket that promised runs galore, and New Zealand knocked off the target with ease.
McCullum, who announced before the five-match ODI series began that he will retire from international cricket in February, lived up to his pledge to bow out on top of his game.
His whirlwind opening partnership with Guptill brought up the New Zealand 100 inside 10 overs. When New Zealand reached 53 without loss after six overs, Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews put himself on to try to arrest the run onslaught. McCullum had other ideas and took 16 off Mathews’ over and 12 off Ajantha Mendis in the next over.