Despite the loss, New Zealand still won the series 4-2
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara scored a sensational century to lead his side to a 34-run win over New Zealand in the seventh ODI in Wellington.
Sangakkara was well supported by opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, who made 81.
However, New Zealand stand-in captain Kane Williamson deserves some credit as he made a valiant 54.
Sri Lanka stand-in captain Lahiru Thirimanne would have been pleased with his decision to bat first as he and Dilshan amassed a 71-run partnership before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Corey Anderson for 30.
Dilshan and Sangakkara built on Sri Lanka’s strong start with a 104-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Dilshan was caught behind off the bowling of Tim Southee.
Dilshan’s excellent knock of 81 came off 98 balls and included five boundaries and a six.
Dilshan hit five boundaries and a six during his knock of 81
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Following Dilshan’s dismissal, Sri Lanka’s middle order collapsed as they went from 175/2 to 253/6.
However, thanks to Sangakkara’s unbeaten 113, which came off 105 deliveries and included 14 boundaries, Sri Lanka finished on 287/6 off their 50 overs.
Sangakkara celebrates after scoring his 21st ODI century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Anderson was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Anderson snapped up two and Kyle Mills chipped in with one.
Chasing 288 to win, New Zealand got off to a terrible start as Martin Guptill, Tom Latham and Ross Taylor were all dismissed in quick succession.
Williamson and Grant Elliott stabilised the innings with a 59-run partnership, during which Williamson registered his half-century, before Elliott was caught by Dinesh Chandimal at deep cover off the bowling of debutant Dushmantha Chameera for 24.
Williamson ended up making 54 off 83 balls, which included four boundaries, before he was caught by Mahela Jayawardene at short backward square leg off the bowling of Dilshan.
Williamson made a gutsy 54
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Anderson managed to make 29 runs before he was caught behind off the bowling of Shaminda Eranga.
Luke Ronchi and Daniel Vettori stemmed the bleeding with a 74-run partnership before Ronchi was clean bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara for 47.
Vettori went on to score 35 runs before he was cleaned up by Seekkuge Prasanna.
Southee only made one run before he was caught behind off the bowling of Thisara Perera.
New Zealand were bowled out for 253 runs when Mills was run out by Kulasekara for 30.
Kulasekara, Eranga and Chameera took two wickets apiece, while Prasanna, Perera and Dilshan claimed one wicket each.
Williamson was gutted to have lost, and said: “We want to win every game we play, but SL played so well today, on the back of Sanga’s hundred and Dilshan’s knock. They bowled very well tonight and swung it late, so they made it very difficult for us. It is important for us to be right in at the end with the bat though. Our middle to lower order all had good time in the middle. We kept pushing the game forward, but unfortauntely we were unable to get over the line, but in the field we were very good. There are a lot of things to take from the surface. It does have a bit of dew that comes in later so we will have to consider that going into the World Cup. SL have put us under pressure at times, and I am pleased with how the boys have gone too.”
Thirimanne was pleased with his team’s performance, and said: “Thought Kumar and Dilshan played really well today. They have been brilliant throughout the series. Our main concern was our death bowling and today it came off good. I thought today all the bowlers bowled really well.”
Sangakkara was named Man of the Match, and said: “It’s been a good year. The entire team has been working very hard. The hard work has paid off with some good performances out in the middle. The guys are disappointed for not winning the series, but we are pleased with how we have come out in the end. It is great being part of a team that pushes each player to be slightly better every day, or every tour. I just try to do the basics as well as I can, and if you take some of the performances from right through the series, you can see everyone has chipped in so it has been satisfying. The wickets have been fantastic. The Blackcaps have played outstandingly during the Tests and ODIs. There is a lot we can learn from them, but we also are proud of our cricket and how we do in big tournaments. Good to have Lasith back in the fold. We just want to take a week here to get our minds fresh before the World Cup begins.”