Published: Nov 11, 2012, 12:12 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 11, 2012, 12:12 AM (IST)
Sri Lanka lead the five match series 3-0 © AFP
Hambantota: Nov 10, 2012
Sri Lanka registered a comfortable seven-wicket win against New Zealand in in the rain-affected fourth One-Day International at Hambantota on Saturday.
Dinesh Chandimal (43) and Kumar Sangakkara (42*) stitched an 87-run partnership for the second wicket as the hosts had to chase a low target of 132 runs in 32 overs.
Earlier New Zealand were restricted to 131 for eight.
The match started late due to rain. The match was reduced to a 42-over per side affair. As the game progressed, further spells of shower caused interruptions and the game was eventually reduced to 32-overs per side. As a result, the Kiwi innings could never get to a steady position.
Brendon McCullum was the top-scorer for the visitors as he scored 44-ball 30, a knock that included two fours and a six.
Jeevan Mendis destroyed the Kiwi lower middle-order picking up wickets of Kane Williamson, Nathan McCullum and Andrew Ellis.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 131 for 8 in 32 overs (Brendon McCullum 30, Kane Williamson 21; Jeevan Mendis 3 for 15) v lost to Sri Lanka 131 for 3 in 26.2 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 43, Kumar Sangakkara 42*; Andrew Ellis 1 for 23) by 7 wickets
