Published: Jan 07, 2016, 06:50 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 06, 2016, 08:38 PM (IST)
Sri Lanka remains on top in Twenty20 matches, but have not had a great luck in three T20I matches since 2014. New Zealand have to prove their stance as this is the only T20 match that remains on hand for the Kiwis before the ICC World T20I series begins in March. In the 5th One-Day International, New Zealand posed 294 for 5 with Martin Guptill and Matt Henry as the stars of the game. Guptill was supported by Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor contributing 61 apiece. LIVE FULL SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I at Mount Maunganui
Trent Boult managed to pick 3 for 43 in his first game of the series. Angelo Mathews on the other hand picked 3 for 33. Dinesh Chandimal’s 39 from 22 did not provide much required support. The 4th ODI was interrupted by rains at Nelson and was restricted to 24 overs match, but could only play nine overs with rains lashing out the game once again. The Kiwis were 75 for 3, with Taylor and Guptill on crease. Nuwan Kulasekara’s yorker headed for middle stump and out was Guptill. Sri Lanka reached tried their best to reach the end target with Dusmantha Chameera picking Williamson, but it did not help the team. The series remained 2-1 with New Zealand leading in the series. LIVE CRICKET SCORE: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st T201 at Mount Maunganui
The 3 rd ODI match remained crucial for Sri Lanka as that helped them revive from their last two defeats. Tilakaratne Dilshan struck 91 from 92 that boosted Sri Lanka to pose a target of 277. The hosts witness another commendable play by Danusha Gunathilaka who struck 65 and Lahiru Thirimanne who remained 87 not out. For the kiwis it was Guptill who played his best with 59 runs. Sri Lanka could not spare their happiness winning by 8 wickets and 22 balls to spare.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 294 for 5 (Martin Guptill 102, Kane Williamson 61, Ross Taylor 61; Matt Henry 5 for 40) beat Sri Lanka 258 (Angelo Mathews 95, Dinesh Chandimal 50, Kulasekara 3 for 53) by 36 runs
