SL in NZ: Sri Lanka win final ODI by 34 runs

Sri Lanka won the seventh and final ODI by 34 runs at Wellington today (29) in a series where New Zealand have already clinched by 4-2.   Electing to bat Sri Lanka posted 287 for the loss of six wickets after Kumar Sangakkara hit a magnificent 113 not out and in return New Zealand were restricted for 253 runs with 28 deliveries remaining.   Sangakkara hit his 21st ODI century as he made an unbeaten 113 off 105 deliveries inclusive of 14 fours.   Openers Lahiru Thirimanne and TM Dilshan put on 71 runs before the latter got together with Sangakkara to add 104 runs for the second wicket.   Thirimanne made 30 runs off 41 deliveries inclusive of four boundaries while Dilshan went on to hit 81 off 98 deliveries inclusive of five fours and a six.   Despite Sri Lanka’s middle order’s failure to click man-of-the-match Sangakkara played a solid innings to take Sri Lanka to a defendable total.   Corey Anderson picked three wickets while Tim Southee claimed two scalps.   In reply New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals before their middle order returned to make the run chase stable.   Kane Williamson made 54 off 83 deliveries with four boundaries while Grant Elliott (24), Corey Anderson (29), Luke Ronchi (47), Daniel Vettori (35) and Kyle Mills (30) made useful contributions.   New Zealand were on course for a possible win until Ronchi’s wicket fell at 215 as the seventh wicket.   The hosts slumped to 225-9 but Southee and Mills fought well to keep them afloat with a partnership of 28 runs for the last wicket.   Pacemen Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Kulasekara and debutant Dushmantha Chameera picked two wickets each while Dilshan, Seekkuge Prasanna and Thissara Perera picked a wicket each.   Sri Lanka will remain in New Zealand for the ICC World Cup which begins on February 14 where both sides are featured in the curtain raiser game.   Sri Lanka 287 for 6 wickets (50) (Lahiru Thirimanne 30, TM Dilshan 81, Kumar Sangakkara 113, Thissara Perera 20, Corey Anderson 3/59, Tim Southee 2/50)   New Zealand 253 all out (45.2) (Kane Williamson 54, Grant Elliott 24, Corey Anderson 29, Luke Ronchi 47, Daniel Vettori 35, Kyle Mills 30, Shaminda Eranga 2/31, Nuwan Kulasekara 2/55, Dushmantha Chameera 2/63)