6.40pm
With the game all but over, the question turns to the man-of-the-match award.
Anderson has to be a frontrunner with his 75 off 46 balls, but you would have to go a long way to see a better slow-bowling performance than Vettori's today. His 2-34 off 10 was quite remarkable, considering Sri Lanka needed to score fast if they were to have any chance.
6.30pm
Southee picks up another - Malinga this time, who edges behind to Ronchi for a simple catch. Southee has figures of 2-33 off eight overs.
6.26pm
Tim Southee takes another wicket for the Black Caps.
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews tried to heave down the field, but could only manage to sky the ball 30 metres. A sprightly Daniel Vettori defied his years and creaky body to run in from the boundary and snaffle an excellent diving catch.
Sri Lanka are now 216-8, needing another 115 runs from 50 balls. In a word - unlikely.
6.17pm
The Black Caps are in full control of the match now. Sri Lanka are 209-7, and need another 123 runs off 60 balls for victory.
The good thing about the performance so far is that meaningful contributions have come from a number of players. For batsmen scored 40 or better, while Vettori, Milne and Boult have each picked up two wickets.
5.54pm
Daniel Vettori just proved today why he's such a class act. With Sri Lanka chasing 331, he managed to pick up figures of 2-34 off 10 overs. Outstanding performance.
Sri Lanka are really struggling now at 180-6. They need a further 151 runs from 14 overs.
5.44pm
A moment of controversy at Hagley Oval, as Adam Milne had Kulasekara edging behind. Luke Ronchi claimed the ctach, but replays showed the ball bounced the moment nefore going into Ronchi's gloves. Kulasekara survives.
Sri Lanka 173-6 after 34 overs.
5.37pm
And yet another wicket falls. Milne snares Jeevan Mendis for four to give the Black Caps full control of the match.
Milne dug the ball in short and Mednis got a faint edge trying to hook it. Luke Ronchi took a simple catch to reduce Sri Lanka to 169-6.
5.34pm
Adam Milne has made another breakthrough for the Black Caps, picking up the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne for 14.
Sri Lanka are now 164-5, and need another 168 runs from 18 overs for an improbable victory.
5.27pm
There was a lot of talk about Trent Boult being a controversial selection in the Black Caps World Cup squad, and it will be interesting to see whether his performance today has put those doubters' concerns to rest.
His 10 overs went for 62 runs, but he picked up the two crucial wickets of Thirimanne and Sangakkara.
5.14pm
Those wickets have certainly put the brakes on Sri Lanka's charge. They now need over eight an over to chase down New Zealand's 331.
It's tempting to say the game is safe for the Black Caps, but stranger things have happened in cricket.
5.04pm
Trent Boult has struck again, removing Kumar Sangakkara.
Boult's inswinging delivery glanced Sagakkara's pad on the full, but for some reason the Sri Lankan maestro decided to review the decision. The DRS duly revealed the ball was about to canon into middle stump.
Sri Lanka are now 133-4, and have lost their two premier batsmen in Sangakkara and Jayawardene.
The Black Caps will feel as though they have control of the game now.
4.59pm
The Black Caps have made a double break through.
Trent Boult picked up Lahiru Thirimanne for 65, while Daniel Vettori snared the dangerous Mahela Jayawardena for a duck.
Sri Lanka are currently 125-3, still needing another 207 runs from 27 overs for victory.
Brendon McCullum celebrates the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene. Photo / Brett Phibbs
4.15pm
Daniel Vettori has made a breakthrough for the Black Caps, snaring the dangerous Tillakaratne Dilshan for 24.
Dilshan couldn't get going in his innings, but his dismissal will still come as a relief for the Black Caps, who are well aware of his destructive capabilities.
The caught-and-bowled was Vettori's 291st wicket in ODI cricket.
Sri Lanka are now 69-1 in the 14th over. The required run rate has already passed the seven mark.
4.10pm
Sri Lanka have picked up the scoring rate as they seek to chase down New Zealand's 331.
Sri Lanka are now 64 without loss after 12 overs. Somewhat surprisingly, Lahiru Thirimanne has played more of an agressive role than the usual dasher Tillakaratne Dilshan, who has only managed 23 off 38 balls.
Neither Trent Boult nor Tim Southee were able to make a breakthrough.
3.52pm
Sri Lanka are going at only four an over as they seek to chase down the Black Caps' mammoth total of 331 in the opening game of the World Cup in Christchurch.
Sri Lanka are 29 without loss after seven overs, with openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (13) and Lahiru Thirimanne (16) unable to score quickly.
New Zealand seam duo Trent Boult and Tim Southee have been at their parsimonious best, even though the ball hasn't swung much.
In spite of the low scoring rate, New Zealand will be eager to take wickets given the quality of the Sri Lankan batting to come.
3.36pm
Sri Lanka have got their innings off to a steady if unspectacular start, hitting 15 off the first four overs.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (8) and Lahiru Thirimanne (7) are taking a cautious approach against New Zealand's new-ball pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee.
The bowling has been tight, but neither seamer has been able to get much swing as yet.
The Herald's David Leggat is at Hagley Oval covering the action. Here's his report on the first innings.
New Zealand's batsmen gave the World Cup a rousing start, piling on 331 for six in the opening match against Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval.
The innings began and ended at considerable pace after New Zealand took a dip in tempo through the middle overs as Sri Lanka's bowlers strove to pull back the co-hosts' flying start.
Captain Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill put on a roaring 111-run opening stand before McCullum departed for a breezy 65 off 49 balls, being caught just inside the boundary rope at long off by Jeevan Mendis off left arm spinner Rangana Herath.
McCullum struck three fours off his first four balls, also hit the first six of the cup, straight back off seamer Lasith Malinga, and ensured New Zealand's batsmen to follow were given a wonderful platform.
Guptill, having had an up and down leadup to the cup, played some confident shots and got to 49 before being smartly caught, diving to his right, by wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara off the impressive Suranga Lakmal.
It was Lakmal who helped slow the New Zealand run rate, although he got pasted late in the innings. Ross Taylor was unable to take charge while Kane Williamson, dropped first ball, low to his right by Sangakkara off Lakmal, was scratchy early.
They put on 57, Williamson finding his feet later to go past 50 for the 13th time in his last 17 ODI innings.
However the pair were dismissed on consecutive balls by legspinner Mendis.
Williamson lofted a ball high to wide long on, where Dimuth Karunaratne sprinted and dived to his right to clutch a fine catch.
Then Taylor overstepped as he reached forward and was stumped by Sangakkara.
However it wasn't the neatest piece of work in the veteran's keeping career and it required the third umpire to take a long look at whether he had control of the ball before Taylor's back foot returned to earth.
The five-over power play arrived with two new batsmen, Grant Elliott and Corey Anderson, on two and one, which was far from ideal.
They scored 33 runs off them, helped by three wides in one over by Malinga, who had been flogged by McCullum in an opening four over spell which cost 42.
Elliott and Anderson put on a run-a-ball 65 before Anderson took charge, with Ronchi, the pair putting on a rollicking 73 off just 37 balls.
Anderson was out off the final ball of the innings for 75 off 46 balls, featuring thunderous drives.
The last five overs produced 61 for one. Malinga, seen as a significant threat, went for 84 off his 10 overs, while Lakmal and Mendis took two wickets each with one apiece for Herath and Nuwan Kulasekara.
By David Leggat in Christchurch
2.56pm
The Black Caps have reached a whopping 331-6 from their 50 overs in the opening match of the Cricket World Cup. Sri Lanka will face a mighty task to chase down such a big score.
Stick around for David Leggat's first-innings report, which will be online shortly.
2.41pm
Lasith Malinga was denied his first wicket of the World Cup by a no-ball.
Malinga clean bowled Luke Ronchi with an inch-perfect yorker, but the Sri Lankan speedster had just overstepped the bowling crease in his delivery stride, meaning the wicket didn't count.
The Black Caps are 299-5 after 47.2 overs.
2.30pm
Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi have put the Black Caps into a commanding position in the final few overs of the first innings.
The Black Caps are 287-5 after 46 overs, with Anderson on 46 off 32 balls, while Ronchi has contributed a swift 15 off 8.
Click here for ball-by-ball updates.
2.15pm
The Black Caps have hit the 250 mark after 43 overs in the opening match of the Cricket World Cup.
Grant Elliott (28) and Corey Anderson (27) have worked hard to consolidate on the great start made by openers Brendon McCullum (65) and Martin Guptill (49).
Kane Williamson also contributed with a smart half-century, but when he and Ross Taylor departed in consecutive balls, the innings threatened to go off the boil.
The Black Caps will be looking to post a score well in excess of 300 from this point.
Corey Anderson has belted 74 runs. Photo / Brett Phibbs
2.00pm
The Black Caps' middle order have fought back after the loss of Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson to put New Zealand in a great position with 10 overs left in their innings.
The Kiwis are 229-4 after 40 overs, with Corey Anderson on a run-a-ball 18 and Grant Elliott on 15 from 20 balls.
1.32pm
Hot on the heels of losing Kane Williamson, the Black Caps lost Ross Taylor the very next ball in a one-two punch that brings Sri Lanka back into the game.
Jeevan Mendis beat Taylor in the air, drawing the New Zealand No 4 down the pitch only to miss the ball and be stumped by Kumar Sangakkara.
Taylor's wicket means two new batsman - Grant Elliot and Corey Anderson - are at the crease as New Zealand head into the powerplay overs at 194-3.
1.27pm
Black Caps batsman Kane Williamson was brilliantly caught in the deep for 57 off 65 balls, leaving New Zealand 193-3 in the 34th over.
Looking to step up the scoring rate, Williamson clipped Jeevan Mendis down the ground, but Dimuth Karunaratne took a sharp diving catch to remove the Black Caps' anchor.
1.05pm
After a blistering start, New Zealand's innings has shifted down a gear or two as Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor seek to preserve wickets and consolidate in the middle overs.
The Black Caps' openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill reached 77 off the first 10 overs, but when McCullum fell in the 16th over the scoring rate slowed down.
New Zealand are now 156-2 in the 29th over. Williamson has compiled a tidy 26 off 45 balls, while Taylor is on 8 off 16 balls.
One lucky fan took a one-handed crowd catch to give himself a chance of winning $1 million. Photo / Brett Phibbs
12.41pm
The Black Caps have lost their second wicket of the opening match of the Cricket World Cup, with Martin Gutill departing for a well-made 49 off 62 balls.
Guptill was searching for his 50th run through the vacant slip region, but didn't get enough bat on it was was caught brilliantly by Sri Lankan wickterkeeper Kumar Sangakkara off the bowling of Suranga Lakmal.
Ross Taylor has joined Kane Williamson at the crease.
The Black Caps are 136-2 after 22 overs.
12.15pm
The nelson has struck again - the Black Caps have lost their first wicket at 111 runs in the 16th over.
Brendon McCullum was caught in the deep off the bowling of Rangana Herath for 65 off 49 balls.
Kane Williamson comes to the crease with the Black Caps in an excellent position.
Brendon McCullum made 65 off 49 balls before being cuaght in the deep. Photo / Brett Phibbs
12.10pm
The Blacks Caps have raced to 100 without loss in the opening game of the Cricket World Cup.
Brendon McCullum has gone to 65 off 47 balls, but despite the blistering speed, his innings has been characterised by conventional cricket shots and good decision making.
New Zealand couldn't have asked for a better start than this.
12.01pm
Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum has got his and his team's World Cup campaign off to a blinder.
McCullum has brought up the first milestone of the tournament, racing to a half century off 35 balls.
11.57am
New Zealand are going at almost eight an over in the opening match of the Cricket World Cup.
The Black Caps are 77-0 after 10 overs, with captain Brendon McCullum in imperious form. The skipper has raced to 45 off 30 balls. The good news for Kiwi fans is that the runs have mainly come with good, sensible cricket shots.
Down the other end, Martin Guptill is playing a assured supporting rile, notching up 26 off 36 balls.
The weather may be cold and miserable in Christchurch but the cricket is boiling hot.
11.35am:
The Black Caps have raced to 60 without loss after seven overs.
Openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill have so far successful dealt with the threat posed by Lasith Malinga's unconventional bolwing action.
McCullum is currently on 30 off 18 balls, while Guptill has gone to 24 off 29 balls.
Brendon McCullum has got off to a flying start. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Toss report:
Sri Lanka won the toss and sent New Zealand in to bat in the opening game of the 11th Cricket World Cup at Hagley Oval in Christchurch today.
The day dawned grey and cool, with a light breeze bu the covers were immediately whisked on after the toss with faint drizzle setting in.
New Zealand have omitted Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Tom Latham and Mitchell McClenaghan from their squad of 15. Opener Martin Guptill will make his 100th ODI appearance today.
Sri Lanka include key fast bowler Lasith Malinga, for his first ODI since the end of August.
An ankle injury, and subsequent surgery, meant he was a touch and go proposition for the tournament, and he will certainly be underdone for today.
Players sing the national anthems prior to the start of play. Photo / Getty Images
Sri Lanka have chosen one specialist spinner for the game - Rangana Herath chosen ahead of Sachithra Senanayake - who will be backed up by legspinner Jeevan Mendis and allrounder Tillekaratne Dilshan.
Sri Lanka bowler Lasith Malinga in action this morning. Photo / Getty Images
The match is being played on the ground where they christened it as a test venue on Boxing Day, and played an ODI on early last month.
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Dan Vettori, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (c), Tillekaratne Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirmanne, Jeevan Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal.
For more coverage of the Cricket World Cup from nzherald.co.nz and NZME. check out #CricketFever.
