WELLINGTON, March 28 (Reuters) - Discarded New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan blasted a century to help Major Associations post 321 in their first innings against the touring Sri Lankans at Christchurch on Monday.

McMillan, axed for the final test against Australia, responded with a fine 121 off 164 balls, featuring 11 boundaries and four sixes.

Gareth Hopkins chipped in with a neat half-century as the locals piled on the runs on the opening day of the three-day warm-up match.

The Sri Lankans, without spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, cleaned up the last five wickets for 57 runs, seamer Lasith Malinga capturing three for 57 from 19 overs and Farveez Maharoof and Ruchira Perera claiming two wickets apiece.

Wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara held three catches and completed two stumpings. The match is Sri Lanka’s only warm-up before the first test starting at Napier on April 4. The second and final test begins in Wellington a week later.

The series was originally due to be played in January but was postponed in the wake of the Asian tsunami.

P.Fulton run out 22

J.How lbw b Maharoof 19

M.Sinclair st Sangakkara b Chandana 38

C.McMillan c Sangakkara b Malinga 121

R.Taylor lbw b Maharoof 10

A.Redmond st Sangakkara b Herath 15

G.Hopkins c Sangakkara b Malinga 50

J.Yovich c Sangakkara b Malinga 0

B.Martin b Perera 18

W.McSkimming not out 4

G.Aldridge b Perera 8

Extras (b-1 lb-3 nb-7 w-5) 16

Fall of wickets: 1-46 2-46 3-111 4-132 5-206 6-264 7-268 8-309 9-309