A win that will give Jayawardene plenty of satisfaction. His bowlers were caned around the park by Astle and Taylor as New Zealand threatened to post a total in excess of 300, but the spinners regrouped well to keep them down to 285 for 8. Astle played a fine hand with an 87-ball 83 and Taylor, in just his third match, remained unbeaten with a very good 128, but then New Zealand's inexperienced, ragged bowlers hit rock bottom.

Jayasuriya and Tharanga were simply unstoppable as runs blazed away to every part of McLean Park. Jayasuriya slammed an 82-ball 111, Tharanga contributed 68, and the experienced middle order finished the deal in emphatic fashion. A seven-wicket win, in 40 overs, chasing 286 after the special innings that Taylor played, is a romp by all manner speaking.

New Zealand have plenty to address as far as the bowling goes, while Sri Lanka can take comfort from Vaas's expert spell at the start and at the death. They have a good spin contingent, and when Malinga gets those toe-crushing yorkers right - he finally did at the end of the innings - they are a good bowling unit. Daniel Vettori, stand-in captain, will hope his side can come back hard in the second ODI.

That match is at Queenstown on December 31, and once again it will be me, Jamie Alter, and George Binoy to take you through the action. Do join us for Cricinfo's live coverage. Until then, cheers!