Number four Styris, who shared 64 runs for the fifth wicket with Jacob Oram (31), was batting on 81 with new batsman James Franklin yet to open his account.

After Oram's departure, Muttiah Muralitharan (3-23 from 8 overs) snared quick wickets of Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori to put the Super Eights table toppers under more pressure.

Sri Lanka fielded Farveez Maharoof in absence of fast bowler Lasith Malinga, top of the tournament bowling averages, after he had sustained damage to his left ankle ligaments in training. However, Chaminda Vaas made up for his colleague's absence with figures of three for 17 from eight overs.

AFP adds: New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming won the toss and elected to bat but soon regretted the decision after veteran left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas had him lbw for nought off the fifth ball of the innings.

Ross Taylor, who had missed the last four games through injury, was then dismissed by a brilliant catch from wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara off Vaas without scoring after facing just two balls as New Zealand were reduced to 4-2.

Opener Peter Fulton put on 67 with Styris for the third wicket but he was dismissed by Vaas with Chamara Silva taking a catch at deep square leg for 28 off 92 balls.

With the score on 77, Craig McMillan became the fourth man out when he was caught by Silva off Muttiah Muralitharan for just one.

The Black Caps, who top the Super Eights table, need just one more win to be certain of a semifinal spot.

Taylor replaced Hamish Marshall while, in another change to the side that beat Ireland by 129 runs in Guyana on Monday, fast bowler Mark Gillespie, yet to play a match in this World Cup because of a problem in his shoulder, replaced off-spinner Jeetan Patel.