New Zealand completed a successful white ball series against Sri Lanka as they wrapped up the ODI series 2-1 after losing the third and last match at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday.
The Kiwis also won the preceding T20 series 2-1.
The sign off match seemed to have been too much for the home team as they folded for 140 in pursuit of a 291 target thanks largely to opener Pathum Nissanka who made 50 in 31 balls with four sixes before retiring hurt with a hamstring injury.
Nissanka returned to the crease and was dismissed for 66 as Sri Lanka went on to pile up a total of 290 for 8 in the allocated 50 overs with Kusal Mendis (54), Kamindu Mendis (46) and Janith Liyanage (53) keeping the scoreboard ticking.
In going after the target New Zealand were never in the hunt as they slumped disastrously losing five wickets for 21 runs inside seven overs after opener Will Young was out for a duck in the second over bowled by Maheesh Theekshana.
While the Kiwis went for shots in a bid to take on the opposition up-front , Mark Chapman was the only batter to offer some competition making a top score of 81 before he was the last man out in the fourth ball of the 29th over. Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando with figures of 3 for 26 was adjudged player of the match while New Zealand’s Matt Henry was declared player of the series for a haul of nine wickets four of which were taken in yesterday’s match.
