Colombo, Sep 8 - New Zealand batsmen failed to adjust to a slow pitch at the Premedasa Stadium as hosts Sri Lanka registered a comprehensive 97-run win in the first One-day International of the Compaq Cup here Tuesday.

Chasing a target of 217 runs, New Zealand batsmen paid heavily for playing some rash strokes on a difficult track and Kiwis were bowled out for 119 in 36.1 overs. Lasith Malinga wrecked the New Zealand batting with his four for 28 while Sanath Jayasuriya and Nuywan Kulasekara picked upo two wickets each.

But the star of the day was Man of the Match Thilan Samaraweera, who scored his maiden ODI century (104), and also forged a crucial partnership with youngster Angelo Matthews (51), after skipper Kumar Sangakkara opted to bat.

Samaraweera and Matthews stitched an important 127-run partnership for the sixth wicket after half the side was back in the pavilion for 69 runs in the 26th over.