New Zealand Beat Sri Lanka

New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 36 runs in the final one-day international at Mount Maunganui to wrap up the series 3-1 on Tuesday.

New Zealand made 294-5 with Martin Guptill making 102 and both Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor out for 61. In reply, Sri Lanka were all out for 258 at the start of the 48th over. Angelo Mathews made 95, while New Zealand’s Matt Henry took five for 40. Fast bowler Matt Henry took 5-40, snaring the top-order wickets of Danushka Gunathilaka and Lahiru Thirimanne to destabilise the Sri Lanka innings, then returning to snuff out any chance of a tail-end rally.

Captain Angelo Mathews kept alive Sri Lanka’s hopes a series-squaring win deep into the innings. With 10 overs to go it was 216-5, needing 79 runs from the last 10 overs and, even with five overs remaining and at 249-7 with Mathews still in full flow, the tourists were in with a chance.