New Zealand star Glenn Phillips has made Sri Lanka pay for a woeful night in the field, as his century helped the Black Caps scramble to 7-167 in their Twenty20 World Cup clash.
After New Zealand slumped to 3-15 in the first four overs, Phillips resurrected the Black Caps with a 61-ball century before finishing with 104 from 64.
Daryl Mitchell hit 22 as part of an 84-run stand for the fourth wicket, as New Zealand steadied the ship before powering home.
Sri Lanka only had themselves to blame.
Phillips should have been out on just 13, and with the score at 3-28, when Pathum Nissanka put down a sitter at long off.
He was dropped again on 45, as Sri Lanka managed to give up several more runs through misfields to allow the Black Caps to fight their way back into the game.
Ultimately, it undid the work of spinners Maheesh Theekshana (1-35) and Dhananjaya de Silva (1-14), who along with quick Kasun Rajitha (2-23) all took wickets up front.
After New Zealand's powerplay of 3-25 was the slowest of the Super 12 stage of the tournament, Phillips hit 10 boundaries and four sixes down the ground and through the legside.
He was eventually caught in the final over, but by then the damage was done.
The winner of Saturday night's match will go top of Group One, putting themselves in the box seat to qualify for the semi-finals with two games remaining.
