Set up by a quick-fire half-century from skipper Brendon McCullum, and anchored by a measured 81 from Corey Anderson, New Zealand stuttered to a three-wicket win in Sunday's first ODI against Sri Lanka in Christchurch.
In a stop-start performance, the Black Caps chased down Sri Lanka's 9-218 with 42 balls to spare in the first of seven limited-overs matches.
McCullum looked to have steadied New Zealand's innings with his 22-ball 51 after opener Martin Guptill was dismissed without scoring on the second ball he faced.
The skipper was in imperious form, belting six fours and three sixes on the way to his 27th one-day half-century.
The Black Caps still looked comfortable at 2-63 midway through the seventh over, but the loss of Kane Williamson (15) and Grant Elliott (1) within the space of an over left them teetering at 4-77 after 11.1 overs.
Tom Latham (15) and Luke Ronchi (17) both made starts, but it was left to allrounder Anderson in a man-of-the-match performance to provide the middle-order anchor in a 94-ball innings to see New Zealand home.
McCullum said the signs were encouraging a month out from the World Cup.
"With the bat, we made ourselves have to fight pretty hard but we saw some good characteristics come through," he said.
"I thought Corey under pressure really stepped up nicely today and got the job done. Overall, we need to get better but it's not a bad performance to start the series."
Earlier, a triple-wicket maiden from Mitchell McClenaghan helped restrict Sri Lanka to 9-218.
The visitors lost early wickets after winning the toss, but Mahela Jayawardene anchored their innings with his 18th ODI century, stroking 104 off 107 balls.
However, McClenaghan put the brakes on a storming finish, removing Jeevan Mendis for 23 two balls into the 47th over, then accounting for Jayawardene two balls later when he holed out to Anderson in the deep.
Thisara Perera lasted just one ball, guiding a thick outside edge to 'keeper Ronchi for a comfortable catch as Sri Lanka lost three wickets without adding to their score.
McClenaghan finished with figures of 4-36, backed up by Adam Milne's 2-37.
McCullum was happy with his bowlers' efforts, saying Trent Boult had bowled a hostile spell without reward, Adam Milne was outstanding with the new ball and McClenaghan had only got better as the match wore on.
The Black Caps' fielding was excellent, he added.
"Especially that dismissal of Mahela. He was looking to pull the trigger at that stage and to get him with a very good outfield catch from Corey allowed us to get some momentum."
The second ODI is in Hamilton on Thursday.
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