Triangular Series Sri Lanka vs New Zealand match news

In the first ODI of this tournament, New Zealand trounced India by 200 runs at Dambulla. The clash against hosts Sri Lanka was not likely to be as easy as the first match was, however. Sri Lanka boasted a string line-up, with Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayawardene leading the batting. Matthews and Mendis were key bowlers in the Sri Lankan attack as well. New Zealand had a few newcomers, but the majority of their starting eleven was seasoned campaigners for the Kiwis.


Kiwi captain Ross Taylor won the toss and elected to bat first. The tourists had a poor start as Martin Guptill was out in the first over for nought. However, Taylor and ODI debutant BJ Gatling added 45 runs for the second wicket. With the score on 47, New Zealand lost two wickets; Ross Taylor departed for 16 runs while Kane Williamson made a two-ball "duck." Scott Styris (24) joined Gatling and the pair posted 52 runs for the fourth wicket. Rangana Herath had Styris out with the total on 99; New Zealand was 99/4.


More woe was to follow for the tourists, as Gatling, who made 55 from 68 balls, was the fifth batsman out with the score on 101. Gareth Hopkins and Daryl Tuffey fell with the score on 123; New Zealand was 123/7. Lower order resistance, and 36 runs off 64 balls for Nathan McCullum, enabled New Zealand to recover to 192 all out. From 143/8, the eventual score represented a recovery. The visitors were bowled out after 48.1 overs. Bowling for Sri Lanka, Lasith Malinga and Angelo Matthews took three wickets. The bowling was so disciplined that no bowler conceded more than 4.28 runs per over.


In reply, Sri Lanka had a poor start as well, losing T. Dilshan for just five runs in the third over. Despite that early setback, Sangakkara (48) and Tharanga batted positively to post an 85-run partnership for the second wicket. After Jayawardene departed cheaply, Tharanga and Samaraweera put Sri Lanka back on the victory path with a 43-run stand. However, when Tharanga (70) departed, the home side suffered a collapse.


Sri Lanka lost four wickets in the span of 18 runs to reach 180/7 in the 39th over. However, with just three wickets in hand, Chamara Kapugedera and Samaraweera ensured no further hiccups. Sri Lanka reached their target with 55 balls to spare. Kyle Mills (4/41) was the standout bowler for the tourists, but Upul Tharanga took the player of the match award for his half-century.