New Zealand took on Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series at Dunedin on Thursday.
The visitors were caught on their rusty front as their bowlers could not make any impact on the game right from the start of Day 1.
Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson and skipper Brendon McCullum powered New Zealand to 409 for the loss of three wickets at the end of Day 1 on Thursday.
"The way we batted throughout and the way we were able to rotate the strike and get the strike rate going was really pleasing. Any time you get a hundred you're satisfied but to be able to kick on and get to 150 was pretty pleasing and it set the game up well for us," Guptill told reporters at the end of Day 1 in Dunedin.
"They (the coaching staff) have been good to me and given me a good run in the test side and today capped off a lot of hard work over the last 18 months to get back in the test side."
Williamson and Guptill were involved in a record 173-run second wicket partnership. Guptill scored his third Test ton, while Williamson missed his 13th century of the longest format of the game by just 12 runs.
Later McCullum went hammer and tongs. He scored 75 runs in just 57 balls giving Black Caps a solid start to this Test match. McCullum also equalled the record of playing most Test matches without a break since debut (98). He will break that record when he takes the field in the second Test match against Sri Lanka.
One would definitely believe that New Zealand are right on top at the moment. The tail-enders would look to add some more valuable runs early in the first session tomorrow.
On the other hand, Sri Lankan bowlers had to work real hard to break the dangerous-looking partnership of Williamson and Guptill. The Lankan bowlers became clueless when McCullum went berserk and smashed those boundaries in all parts of the ground. Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep and Dushmantha Chameera picked up two wickets each. Milinda Siriwardana and Angelo Mathews picked added one scalp to their name respectively.
Sri Lanka would be looking to clear that tail as early as possible on Day 2. However, New Zealand have a decent bowling lineup and the home conditions will add to the fact that the hosts are on top at this moment. An exciting day of cricket awaits the fans.
Where to watch live:
The first Test match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is scheduled for a 10.30 am local time (3:30 am IST, 9:30 pm GMT) start. There will be no live coverage of the game in India. The live streaming option is also not available.
Viewers in Sri Lanka can watch the game live on Ten Sports. Live Streaming option is not available.
The viewers in the UK can watch New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st Test match in Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports HD 2. The fans can live stream the same on SkyGO.
Audience in the US can tune into Willow TV and ESPN 3 to watch the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st Test match and stream the same on Wilow TV online.
The fans in Australia will have to switch to Fox Sports 1.
Cricket fans in New Zealand can watch New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st Test matchon Sky Sport 1 and Sky Sport HD 1. The live streaming option will be on SkyGo.co.nz.
