DHAKA: The World Cup 2015 started with a comfortable 98-run victory of New Zealand over Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval ground at Christchurch on Saturday.

Sri Lankan lost all wickets to score 233 runs while chasing the huge total of 332-run target set by the host.

HDRL Thirimanne took the highest 65 runs off 60 ball while Angelo Mathews scored 46.

TG Southee, Kiwi bowlers TA Boult, AF Milne, CJ Anderson and DL Vettori bagged two wickets each.

Though his team witnessed 98-run defeat in the opening match, Kumar Sangakkara touched two important statistical milestones in the match, scoring 24 runs. He reached 1000 WC runs and became the second-highest run scorer in ODI history crossing Ricky Ponting’s score.

The match started at 4:00am Bangladesh time after Lankan captain chose to bowl first winning the toss.

New Zealand scored 331-run for six in 50-overs in the match.

CJ Anderson contributed 75 runs off 46 balls after blasting eight boundaries and two sixes.

Opener BB McCullum, who hit 10 fours and one six, added 65 runs off 49 balls.

Lankan bowlers RAS Lakmal and BMAJ Mendis bagged two wickets each while HMRKB Herath and KMDN Kulasekara picked up one wicket each.

BDST: 1216 HRS, FEB 14, 2015