Ronchi and Elliott break world record

A world record sixth-wicket stand by Luke Ronchi and Grant Elliott has set up New Zealand's 108-run win in the fifth one-day international against Sri Lanka at Dunedin's University Oval.

The Black Caps racked up an intimidating 360-5, thanks to the pair's unbeaten 267-run partnership and although Sri Lanka started strongly, the asking run rate climbed steadily once mainstay Tillakaratne Dilshan was out for 116 early in the 37th over.

Sri Lanka were all out for 252 four balls into the 44th over.

Stand-in skipper Lahiru Thirimanne and Dilshan put on 93 for the first wicket before Thirimanne holed out to Ross Taylor in the deep.

Elliott claimed his second victim with the first ball of the 26th over, Kumar Sangakkara gone for nine when he chipped a slower ball over mid on for Nathan McCullum to safely gather.

Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene put on 70 for the third wicket, but once Jayawardene departed in the 36th over, clean bowled by Trent Boult, it was all downhill for the visitors.

Dilshan went three balls later, one of Mitchell McClenaghan's two victims, and the last six wickets fell for just 37 runs.

Boult was the best of the Kiwi bowlers, emerging with 4-44 off 10 overs while Elliott, Tim Southee and McClenaghan all picked up two apiece.

Earlier, Elliott played an invaluable supporting role to Ronchi's spectacular unbeaten 170 as the pair revived New Zealand's innings after they faltered to 93-5 after 20 overs.

If Ronchi was outstanding in belting 14 fours and nine sixes off 99 balls in his maiden ODI century, Elliott's more measured innings was no less valuable.

His 104 came off 96 balls, as he kept the run rate ticking over and rotated the strike to keep Ronchi facing.

Ronchi and Elliott came together in the 20th over, with New Zealand looking decidedly shaky at 93-5.

Ronchi took 38 balls to reach his first 50 and 36 for his second before letting fly to rack up his third 50 in just 18 balls.

Ronchi and Elliott's partnership for the sixth wicket beat the previous best mark for all countries of 218, set by MS Dhoni and Mahela Jayawardene for an Asian XI against an African XI in 2007.

It was also the second-highest partnership for any wicket set by New Zealanders, bettered only by Brendon McCullum and James Marshall's 274 against Ireland in 2008.

New Zealand lead the seven-match series 3-1, with one match remaining in Dunedin on Sunday before the final game in Wellington next week.