Cricket: NZ A end drought

It's taken eight games but New Zealand A have finally nailed a win on their sub-continental tour.

New Zealand A have won the first of their three-game 50-over series against the Sri Lankans in Pallekele by 28 runs.

Having rattled up 350 for eight, they bowled out the hosts for 322 in 47.4 overs.

The win comes after drawing both four-dayers and losing all three 50-over games against India A, and having a draw and a loss against the Sri Lankans in four-dayers.

A solid batting effort, spearheaded by Luke Ronchi's 84 off 67 balls, Colin Munro's 67 and Anaru Kitchen hitting a brisk 62 pushed NZ A to 350. There were good partnerships between Ronchi and Munro (85 for the fifth wicket) Ronchi and Andrew Ellis (76 for the sixth) and 41 between Ellis and Scott Kuggeleijn for the seventh wicket.

For a time Sri Lanka threatened the target, with opener Dimuth Karunaratne striking a run-a-ball 120. The hosts needed 84 off the last 10 overs with seven wickets in hand, however they lost four for two, including three in one over from lively Adam Milne to end their pursuit.

Spinner Anton Devcich continued a good tour with three for 58, Milne took three for 57 and Andrew Ellis two for 43.

The second game is on Tuesday night in Dambulla.

Scores: New Zealand A 350-8 (L. Ronchi 84, C. Munro 70, A. Kitchen 62, A. Ellis 46, S. Kuggeleijn 43 not out; S. Serasinghe 2-46, D. Perera 2-46) bt Sri Lanka A 322 (D. Karunaratne 120, D. Chandimal 69, A. Priyanjan 27; A. Milne 3-57, A. Devcich 3-58, Ellis 2-43) by 28 runs.