Thisara Perera’s maiden ODI century went in vain
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera struck a career-best 140, but it wasn’t enough to lead his side to victory against New Zealand as they lost by 21 runs in Mount Maunganui.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand got off to a quick start before opener Martin Guptill was caught behind off the bowling of Sri Lanka skipper Lasith Malinga for 13.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson only made one run before he was caught by Lakshan Sandakan at fine leg off the bowling of Nuwan Pradeep.
Colin Munro and Ross Taylor stabilised the innings with a 112-run partnership, during which Munro raced past his fifty, before he was run out for 87, which came off 77 balls and included 12 boundaries and two sixes.
Taylor and Henry Nicholls kept the runs flowing with a 57-run stand, during which Taylor surpassed his half-century, before Nicholls was caught behind off the bowling of Malinga for 32.
Taylor and James Neesham added 54 runs to the score before Taylor was run out for a 105-ball 90, which included four boundaries and a six.
Ross Taylor was New Zealand’s top scorer with 90 runs
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Neesham went on to score a 37-ball 64, which included five boundaries and three sixes, before he was run out by Pradeep.
Tim Seifert walloped a quickfire 22 before he too was run out.
Thanks to Munro, Taylor and Neesham, New Zealand finished on 319/7 off their 50 overs.
Malinga was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Pradeep chipped in with one.
Chasing 320 to win, Sri Lanka got off to a disappointing start as opener Niroshan Dickwella was clean bowled by Tim Southee for nine runs.
Kusal Perera only mustered four runs before he was caught by Trent Boult at third man off the bowling of Matt Henry.
Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis steadied things with a 49-run partnership before Mendis was caught behind off the bowling of Ish Sodhi for 20.
Gunathilaka went on to score 71, which came off 73 balls and included nine boundaries, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Neesham.
With Dinesh Chandimal, Asela Gunaratne and Seekkuge Prasanna falling in quick succession, Sri Lanka found themselves in trouble at 128/7.
However, this was where Thisara began to take control as he dominated the majority of the 75-run he put together with Malinga, who was clean bowled by Boult for 17.
Thisara and Sandakan added 51 runs to the score before Sandakan was sent packing by Neesham for six runs.
Even though Thisara and Pradeep added another 44 runs to the total, it wasn’t enough as Sri Lanka ended up being bowled out for 298 when Thisara was caught by Boult at long-on off the bowling of Henry for a career-best 140, which came off 74 balls and included eight boundaries and 13 sixes.
Sodhi was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Henry and Neesham took two wickets apiece. As for Boult and Southee, they claimed one wicket each.
Thisara was named Man of the Match.