Cricket: NZ ease to three-wicket win

Daryl Tuffey, Andy McKay and Tim Southee bagged two wickets each overnight. Photo / Duncan Brown

A patchy performance wasn't enough to prevent New Zealand cruising to a three-wicket one-day cricket win over a Sri Lanka Board President's 11 in Colombo overnight.

The President's team opted to field, but struggled with the Black Caps' pace attack, cricket website cricinfo.com reported.

Down and all but out at 63 for six, the President's team fought back courtesy of a 64-run stand for the seventh wicket.

Milinda Siriwardana and Farveez Maharoof showed focus for the 93-ball stand, but it was the efforts of Thisara Perera which boosted the score to respectability.

He smashed eight fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 62 off 39 balls.

Honours were shared among the New Zealand bowlers as Daryl Tuffey, Andy McKay and Tim Southee picked up two apiece, although Southee's brace came at the cost of 64 runs from his 10 overs.

The Black Caps started their chase unconvincingly, BJ Watling gone for four in the fourth over.

However, Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor righted the ship, adding 65 for the second wicket.

Taylor hit seven fours and a six in his 67, while Scott Styris clubbed 57 from 62 balls.

The Black Caps eventually eased away for the win, reaching 220 for seven in 38 overs.

They have a second warm-up match against Sri Lanka A on Saturday at Pallekele international cricket stadium before beginning their one-day Tri-Series against India at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium next Tuesday.

Scores: Sri Lanka Board President's 11 219 for nine (Thisara Perera 62, Milinda Siriwardana 41, Farveez Maharoof 39; Daryl Tuffey 2-34, Andy McKay 2-38) lost to New Zealand 220 for seven (Ross Taylor 67, Scott Styris 57; Kosala Kulasekara 2-24, Thilina Kandamby 2-20) by three wickets.

- NZPA