Records tumbled as New Zealand galloped within sight of a Sri Lankan cricket series victory, thanks to a stunning double act from Luke Ronchi and Grant Elliott in Dunedin.

The Black Caps took a 3-1 lead with two to play in the one-day international series, with a 108-run victory set up by a mammoth total of 360-5. Sri Lanka perished for 252 thanks to a career-best 4-44 from a returning Trent Boult, and return to the same venue on Sunday needing victory to keep it alive.

The Ronchi and Elliott show lit up an already sun-drenched University Oval, hosting just its third ODI. Out of nowhere, with New Zealand on the rack at 93-5, they unleashed a world record sixth wicket partnership of 247, unbroken.

Getty Images SMASHED 'EM BRO: Black Caps Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi both scored unbeaten centuries to help their side to 360-5 in the fifth ODI against Sri Lanka in Dunedin.

Ronchi was brutal; Elliott more measured. It was the perfect mix as the New Zealand gloveman smashed his maiden ODI century off just 74 balls - the seventh-fastest by a Black Cap - and went on to score 170 not out off 99 balls to sit fourth on the all-time high list.

He blazed 14 fours and nine sixes, getting within 19 of team-mate Martin Guptill's record 2013 knock against England.

Elliott, meanwhile, was rapid enough in his unbeaten 104 off 96 then completed a memorable match by snaring 2-42 with the ball, his spot at No 5 now nailed down for the World Cup in another selection triumph for Mike Hesson and Bruce Edgar.

Getty Images BREAKTHROUGH: Black Caps bowler Trent Boult celebrates after making a breakthrough against Sri Lanka in the fifth ODI.

There was little hint of the batting carnage to follow, after a calamitous first 20 overs for the hosts.

Sent in on a green pitch that nipped about, the Black Caps perished to swing and seam. The epic partnership masked some cracks up top; notably a struggling Ross Taylor and another miss for Guptill.

Taylor continues to look some way off his confident best from a year ago and slogged out to deep mid-wicket while Guptill drove ambitiously at a wide one, first ball from Nuwan Kulasekara.

Getty Images STANDING TALL: Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan raises his bat after scoring a century against the Black Caps in Dunedin.

That was all forgotten in a hurry as the pitch flattened out and the Sri Lankan bowlers without Lasith Malinga were again found wanting in the face of a brutal assault.

Ronchi arrived in good nick for his 36th ODI after guiding home the chase in Nelson, but this was something else.

His first half-century spanned 38 balls, the second 36 and the third a warp speed 18 deliveries.

Getty Images BIG HIT: Black Caps wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi unleashes on the Sri Lankan bowling attack at University Oval in Dunedin.

The reaction on reaching his maiden ODI century was priceless, too, as he leapt high and punched the air with his bat, embracing Elliott to a standing ovation.

Ronchi can stand and deliver with the best as he muscled the ball down the ground, scoring the bulk of his runs in the arc between long on and mid-wicket. There was a half-chance on 95 when Thisara Perera got his fingers to a thunderbolt and umpire Chris Gaffaney copped it on the leg, but the only real gift was on 167 when stand-in skipper Lahiru Thirimanne shelled one at cover.

Elliott was the capable deputy whose steady accumulation almost went unnoticed. He flicked wristily on the leg side and deflected to third man.

Getty Images YOU BEAUTY: Luke Ronchi celebrates after scoring his first ODI century.

He also had luck, courtesy of Thirimanne who bobbled a chance on 47, then began to open the shoulders. Just seven fours and two sixes flowed from his bat; still his strike rate was excellent.



New Zealand's total was their highest against a top-eight opponent, beating the 359-3 against England two years ago.



Sri Lanka made a rapid start and, thanks to 116 from opener Tillakaratne Dilshan looked well placed at 211-2 in the 36th.



It looked slightly nervous for the hosts but with the required rate soaring over 10 an over, the tourists finally broke and lost 8-41.



Elliott snared the big scalp of Kumar Sangakkara then the quicks returned for the mop-up job. Mitchell McClenaghan got Dilshan to sky one, ending his 20th ODI century, then Boult ripped through the lower order after shattering Mahela Jayawardene's stumps.



AT A GLANCE



Fastest one-day international centuries for New Zealand:



36 balls - Corey Anderson v West Indies, Queenstown, 2014.



46 - Jesse Ryder v West Indies, Queenstown, 2014.



67 - Craig McMillan v Australia, Hamilton, 2007.



69 - Kane Williamson v Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, 2011.



71 - Jacob Oram v Australia, Perth, 2007.



72 - Ryder v India, Christchurch, 2009.



74 - Luke Ronchi v Sri Lanka, Dunedin, 2015.