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Corey Anderson inspires three-wicket win for New Zealand

Corey Anderson scores 81 to guide New Zealand to a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international of their series at Christchurch.

An innings of 81 from Corey Anderson was crucial in guiding New Zealand to a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international of their series.

The tourists set the Kiwis a victory target of 219 in Christchurch following an impressive century from Mahela Jayawardene.

The home side's chase got off to the worst possible start when Martin Guptill was dismissed with just the third ball of the innings, as he fell to the bowling of Nuwan Kulasekera.

Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson steadied the ship to guide their team past the 50-run mark, but McCullum's knock was to end shortly after reaching his half-century as he was stumped by Kumar Sangakkara off the bowling of Sachithra Senanayake.

Williamson and Grant Elliott soon followed him back to the pavilion, but Anderson and Tom Latham guided the Kiwis past 100, although trouble was to come when Latham fell for 15 to leave the home side 101-5.

Anderson turned the tide back in their favour as he found the boundary and built a partnership with Luke Ronchi, but their solid stand of 48 was broken by Shaminda Eranga as Ronchi departed for 17.

However, Anderson soon went to his half-century and kicked on with the help of Nathan McCullum to push his team within sight of victory.

The 24-year-old was out for 81 when he fell lbw to Tillakaratne Dilshan with his side 10 runs away from their total, but McCullum sent the Kiwis over the line with 42 balls to spare.

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Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan plays a shot during the third and final Twenty20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at the Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket Stadium in the southern district of Hambantota on August 6,
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