Scott Styris finished with figures of three for 10 as New Zealand cruised to a 28-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first of two Twenty20 Internationals in Florida.
The Pearls Cup Series, which is taking place at Central Broward Park in Lauderhill about 30 miles from Miami, is the first time two full International Cricket Council members have played a series in the United States.
And it was New Zealand who took a 1-0 lead in the series after Sri Lanka lost six wickets for just 30 runs thanks to the efforts of Styris as well as Kyle Mills (two for 17) and Andy McKay (two for 20).
Neither side particularly impressed with the bat, Ross Taylor and Angelo Mathews top scoring for New Zealand and Sri Lanka respectively as both reached 27 with Kumar Sangakkara the only other player from the latter to reach double figures.
The Black Caps made 120 for seven from their 20 overs to set their opponents what appeared to be an attainable target.
Brendon McCullum and Aaron Redmond shared an opening stand of 25 before the former was caught by Mathews off Nuwan Kulasekara for 18, his 13-ball innings including two fours and a six.
New Zealand lost a second wicket with just two more runs on the board when Redmond was caught by Lasith Malinga off the bowling off Mathews.
Rob Nicol and Ross Taylor shared a stand of 24 before the former was bowled by Suraj Randiv for 10.
Ajantha Mendis claimed the first of his two wickets when he bowled Scott Styris (10), Taylor was run out after making 27 off 30 balls and when Martin Guptill became Mendis' second victim (10) New Zealand found themselves at 94 for six.
Nathan McCullum fell for nine but Daniel Vettori eked out an unbeaten 21 and Mills two as New Zealand completed their innings with Mendis finishing with figures of two for 18 off four overs.
Such a target did not appear out of reach for Sri Lanka but they made a dreadful start when opener Mahela Jayawardene was out without any runs on the board, caught by McCullum off Mills.
Tillakaratne Dilshan became Mills' second victim for six with the score on 20.
Kumar Sangakarra made 17 before Styris struck for the first time when he removed Mathews (27) as Sri Lanka reached 62 for four.
However, this heralded a collapse as Sri Lanka lost their remaining six wickets for just 30 runs with two deliveries left in their innings.
The team's contribution with the bat was especially disappointing with just Mathews and Sangakarra reaching double figures.
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