Christchurch: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat in the opening one-day international in Christchurch on Saturday.
The wicket "looks like a belter", Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said.
"We want to... put the pressure on."
Both teams have been hit by injuries with New Zealand`s leading batsman Kane Williamson a late scratch because of a problematic right knee.
Corey Anderson, James Neesham and Grant Elliott were not considered for the New Zealand side because of injury while strike bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult are being rested.
Sri Lanka, looking to bounce back from their 2-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand before Christmas, are meanwhile without their two best bowlers -- Lasith Malinga and Dhammika Prasad.
However they have been bolstered for the five-match one-day series by the inclusion of several players who were not part of the Test series including Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne and Nuwan Kulasekara.
Left-handed batsman Henry Nicholls, 24, will make his debut for New Zealand.
Teams:
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (captain), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Luke Ronchi, Doug Bracewell, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan.
Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Danushka Gunathilaka , Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (captain), Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dushmantha Chameera, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal.
Umpires: Michael Gough (ENG), Phillip Jones (NZL)
TV umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
