Sri Lanka was bowled out by New Zealand for 136 runs in 29.2 overs in their opening World Cup match at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Saturday.
Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson took three wickets each as Sri Lanka collapsed.
Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne was the only batsman to put up a fight. He scored a half century and remained unbeaten with 52 runs.
Earlier, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Paceman Tim Southee missed out due to a calf injury as the Kiwis - runners-up in the 2015 edition - went in with two all-rounders in their starting line-up.
Batsman Henry Nicholls was also injured, with Mitchell Santner the only spinner in the side.
“Just a one spinner and two all-rounders. That helps with the balance,” Williamson said at the toss.
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne admitted he would also have bowled first to take advantage of the green tinge on the pitch.
“I would have bowled as well. We wanted to take advantage,” said Karunaratne, who has returned to the side after missing out on four years of one-day cricket.
“We don’t have much pressure. We want to do well. We want to show what we can do.”
Sri Lanka, World Cup winners in 1996, are ninth in the one-day rankings and have been given little chance in the 10-team tournament.
AFP
