Jayasuriya, fortunate to survive a confidant appeal for a catch behind when he had made just 18, smashed 120 off 125 balls hitting 15 boundaries.

It was the 33-year-old left-hander’s first World Cup hundred in his fourth tournament and the 16th of his 288-match career.

The innings continued a rich vein of form that has seen him score three hundreds since the New Year and revitalise a previously out-of-sorts Sri Lanka side.

Jayasuriya added a record 170 runs for the second wicket with 34-year-old veteran Hashan Tillakaratne, who scored his first fifty since being recalled to the side after a three-year absence.

Tillakaratne, who needed a runner towards the end of his innings after suffering from leg cramps, finished unbeaten on 81 from 106 balls having hit five fours.

The pair capitalized on Stephen Fleming’s brave decision to omit specialist spinner Daniel Vettori and then bowl first this morning on a flat pitch.

Sri Lanka, who believe that the pitch will assist their slower bowlers, especially star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, would have batted had they won the toss.

Jayasuriya had raced to his fifty off just 45 balls with the series of explosive off-side strokes before settling down and consolidating on his side’s early advantage.

Displaying signs of tiredness and possible dehydration in the sweltering midday heat, Jayasuriya was eventually trapped lbw by gentle medium pacer Nathan Astle as he played across the line.

New Zealand’s slower medium pacers – particularly Nathan Astle – proved harder to score off as the ball softened and Sri Lanka failed to score the mammoth total that had seemed possible.

Prior to the dismissal of Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka looked set for a 300-plus total but the fall of regular wickets in the slog overs forced them to lower their sights.

Mahela Jayawardene (1) lasted just three balls before he followed his skipper back to the pavilion having also been adjudged lbw, this time off Andre Adams.

Aravinda de Silva (12) scored two deft boundaries before becoming Astle’s second victim as he mistimed a drive and was caught by Scott Styris at extra cover.

Kumar Sangakkara (13) was caught at mid-off as he tried to flay Astle over mid-wicket and Russel Arnold (12) played onto his stumps whilst aiming an equally expansive shot.

Shane Bond and Jacob Oram were both economical with ball but Astle was the most effective claiming three for 34 from seven overs.

The highest total successfully chased at this venue is 264 and Jayasuriya is confidant that Sri Lanka have scored sufficient runs.

“Chasing 270 is never easy especially when you are losing wickets,” said Jayasuriya. “The first 15 overs will be crucial and then will have to use the spinners – I think the ball will turn.”

Jayasuriya’s fireworks ensured that Sri Lanka bounced back from the early loss of vice-captain Marvan Atapattu to score 127 for one from 25 overs.

Jayasuriya continued his fine from Australia, where he had scored back-to-back centuries, blasting 12 boundaries in his unbeaten 81 from 87 balls.

The 33-year-old had looked fortunate to survive a confident appeal for a catch behind from medium pacer Darryl Tuffey when he had made just 18.

Afterwards he launched into the Kiwi bowling, especially seamer Andre Adams, who was peppered through the off-side as he conceding 31 runs in four overs.

Jayasuriya raced past his fifty off just 45 balls with a trademark cut to the bounadry.

Stephen Fleming struggled to contain the left-hander with a bowling attack that lacked variation on a flat batting pitch.

Veteran left-hander Hashan Tillakaratne provided his skipper with solid support, concentrating on survival as he scored 30 from 48 balls with two boundaries.

The pair have so far added 104 from 19.5 overs, a record second wicket World Cup partnership for the Sri Lankans.

The Black Caps brave decision to leave out specialist spinner Daniel Vettori and bowl first had looked to be working after the first few overs.

Both Tuffey and speedster Shane Bond extracted some early life from the pitch and had numerous appeals turned down.

Atapattu (6) was brilliant caught by a diving Scott Styris at backward square as the right-hander tried to flick a short delivery through the leg-side.

Fleming’s decision to insert the Sri Lankans followed the earlier decision to leave out specialist spinner Daniel Vettori and go into the game with a four-pronged pace attack.

New Zealand also left Mathew Sinclair, Brendon McCullum and Kyle Mills from their 15-man squad. Lou Vincent keeps wicket.

Sri Lanka welcomed back off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and new ball bowler Pulasthi Gunaratne who have both recovered from injuries.

West Indies’ surprise victory against tournament hosts South Africa makes this a crucial match with the loser facing an uphill struggle to qualify for the Super Sixes.

The Black Caps desperately need a win having forfeited their game in Kenya because of security concerns.

Sri Lanka:

S Jayasuriya (captain), M Atapattu, M Jayawardene, K Sangakkara, A De Silva, R Arnold, H Tillakaratne, M Muralitharan, C Vaas, D Fernando, P Gunaratne

New Zealand:

S Fleming (captain), A Adams, N Astle, S Bond, C Cairns, C Harris, C McMillan, J Oram, S Styris, D Tuffey, L Vincent