Mahela Jayawardene hits record ton as Sri Lanka crush Canada

Jayawardene's 100 off 81 balls spurred Sri Lanka to 332-7 in front of 30,000 fans at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka, which was hosting its maiden one-day international. Fast bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara (3-16) and Thisara Perera (3-24) then ran through the top order as the North Americans were bowled out for 122 in 36.5 overs.

"The real star was Mahela Jayawardene," said captain Kumar Sangakarra, who also paid tribute to opening batsmen Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan. "Once we got that foundation we were able to launch and go beyond 300."

Sri Lanka's total revolved around a splendid 179-run third wicket stand between Jayawardene and Sangakkara (92) after the home team opted to bat first.

Sangakkara missed out on a century, but toyed with the inexperienced Canada bowlers before giving a return catch to offspinner John Davison, who finished with 2-56.

Sangakkara hit a straight six off leg-spinner Balaji and also scored seven boundaries before paying the price for a loose shot.

Jayawardene later fell to Davison on the very next ball he faced after breaking Sanath Jayasuriya's 85-ball record, set against Bangladesh in 2007. Tharanga (19) helped provide the home side with a solid start of 63 off 72 balls alongside Dilshan.

"I thought they batted very well and gave us a solid start," Sangkarra said. "Dilshan went on to get a half century, unfortunately he couldn't kick on."

After their winning start, Sri Lanka continue their World Cup campaign against Pakistan at Colombo on 26 February, while Canada take on Zimbabwe at Nagpur, India on 28 February.

Meanwhile, New Zealand crushed Kenya by ten wickets in a totally lop-sided Group A match. New Zealand unleashed their pace trio of Tim Southee (3-13), Hamish Bennett (4-16) and Jacob Oram (3-2) to bundle out rank outsiders Kenya for a meagre 69 in 23.5 overs and returned to overwhelm the target in eight overs.

There was not much room for batting practice but openers Martin Guptill (39) and Brendon McCullum (26) stroked some easy boundaries before completing the chase.

The comprehensive win will lift New Zealand's morale which had taken a beating after a poor build-up that included whitewashes in Bangladesh and India, besides a home series defeat against Pakistan.

Bennett ran through the top order as Kenya's top half was back in the hut even before the team total had reached the 50-run mark.

New Zealand missed Kyle Mills' service through a sore back but off-spinner Nathan McCullum recovered from fever to open the attack, a move that is getting increasingly popular among the visiting teams.