A superb all-round performance by Shehan Jayasuriya ensured Sri Lanka A made a successful start to their tour of New Zealand by crushing the NZC winter training squad by 82 runs in a one-day clash in Christchurch on Thursday.

Jayasuriya initially maintained the Sri Lankan’s momentum with 58 from 51 balls batting in the middle order before he retired, but his offspin then ruined the training squad’s optimistic quest for 343 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval as he claimed 7-44 from 10 overs.

Wellington opener Michael Pollard provided the only significant resistance with 76 from 75 balls.

He figured in a 114-run stand for the second wicket with Mark Bracewell (47) before the latter was run out in the 19th over, effectively dashing any hopes of a successful chase.

Jayasuriya, who has played one T20 international, had Pollard caught at the wicket and also routed the middle order claiming seven wickets in succession before the hosts were dismissed for 260 in the 44th over.

Earlier, Sri Lanka accelerated to 342 for eight with six batsmen striking at better than a run-a-ball. Opener Dhanushka Gunathilaka was an exception, though his 66 from 76 balls established a solid start.

Kithuruwan Vithanage top-scored with 69 (70 balls) while eight-test all-rounder Chamara Kapugedera slammed four sixes from 19 balls, his rapid 32 encapsulated a punishing end to the innings.

The teams meet again on the same wicket block on Friday.

Sri Lanka A 342-8 (Kithuruwan Vithanage 69, Dhanushka Gunathilaka 66, Shehan Jayasuriya 58; Jacob Duffy 3-67) beat NZC winter training squad 260 all out in 43.1 overs (Michael Pollard 76, Mitchell Santner 48, Mark Bracewell 47; Shehan Jayasuriya 7-44 ) by 82 runs at Bert Sutcliffe Oval.

Source: Stuff.co.nz