Henry, McCullum fire Kiwis to win

CHRISTCHURCH — Brendon McCullum launched his farewell tour in rollicking form Saturday with a whirlwind 55 to set up New Zealand's seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in its opening One-Day International here. In a 25-ball stay at the crease, McCullum smacked 11 fours and one six to have Sri Lanka on the ropes before he departed with New Zealand only needing a further 81 runs in 40 overs. Martin Guptill posted his 26th half-century on his way to 79 off 56 deliveries while debutant Henry Nicholls was not out on 23 when the innings ended at the end of the 20th over. New Zealand was set a modest 189 target after Matt Henry destroyed the cream of the Sri Lankan top order in a brief spell of 16 balls when he took four wickets for two runs. Sri Lanka was eventually all out for 188 in 47 overs on a wicket that promised runs galore, and New Zealand knocked off the target with ease. McCullum credited the quickfire victory to what he described as "a truly outstanding bowling performance" by Adam Milne and Matt Henry. "With the new ball in their bands, they were outstanding for us and that's where the winning of the game was when you're needing to chase 190 and know the wicket is going to be good," he said. Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews regretted that his bowlers were not as threatening. "It's not easy to bowl at Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill," he said. "They are power hitters and they go after the bowling from the very beginning. We just need to bowl in the right areas more often." The big-hitting 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. — AFP