Hambantota, Sri Lanka: The opening one-day international between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was abandoned due to rain on Sunday after Tillakaratne Dilshan guided the hosts to a comfortable 288 for nine in 50 overs.
New Zealand reached 13 for one in the fifth over when rain stopped play at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium.
Kumar Sangakkara (79) and captain Angelo Mathews (74 not out) were crucial in steadying the innings after the hosts lost Dimuth Karunaratne for a first-ball duck.
Dilshan top scored with 81, including nine boundaries. He shared 137 runs for the second wicket with Sangakkara, who hit nine boundaries and two sixes.
Captain Kyle Mills snared Karunaratne with the first ball, trapping him lbw to provide the tourists a solid start. However, Sri Lanka fought back with the help of a 155-ball partnership between Dilshan and Sangakkara.
Sri Lanka lost quick wickets in the latter stages but Mathews held one end with nine boundaries and a six during a 64-ball innings.
Mills returned the tourists' best bowling figures of 3-49. Left-arm spinner Anton Davcich (2-33) and left-arm seamer Mitchell McClenaghan (2-74) also took vital wickets.
The second match will be played at the same venue on Tuesday.
