Williamson Century Leads New Zealand to Win

Nelson: Kane Williamson made a welcome return to the New Zealand side with an elegant century to set up a four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the fourth one-day international Tuesday.

Backed by lusty hitting from Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi, New Zealand overtook Sri Lanka's 276 with 11 balls to spare and move 2-1 ahead in the seven-match series.

In a tense finish New Zealand needed 47 off 36 balls when the 24-year-old Williamson was removed for 103, after his fifth ODI century.

Anderson was run out for 47 with New Zealand needing 32 runs with 26 balls left.

Up stepped Luke Ronchi to blast a rapid 32 including three sixes and Daniel Vettori hit a four as New Zealand finished with a flourish.

After losing the early wickets of Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor cheaply, an unflustered Williamson led the rescue mission, first in partnership with Grant Elliott and then with Anderson.

He brought up his century with a steady accumulation of singles, only reaching the boundary seven times with six fours and a six.

Elliott, who scored 44, was happy to accumulate singles in a patient 88-run stand with Williamson which ensured there were wickets in hand for the final run chase.

Sri Lanka's innings was the product of finely constructed performances by their two elder statesmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

Sri Lanka's big three batsmen all made significant contributions to their total but the tourists did not get enough runs from the rest of their lineup on a good batting wicket.

Tillikaratne Dilshan (44), Kumar Sangakkara (76) and Mahela Jayawardene (94) provided the bulk of the visitors' 276 runs in 49.3 overs, though they would be disappointed they did not get contributions from the rest of their lineup on a good wicket.

Fast bowler Adam Milne was the pick of New Zealand's attack with 2-28 from seven overs, while opening bowler Tim Southee was expensive but finished with 3-59.

New Zealand lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 after they shared the first two games and the third match in Auckland on Saturday was rained out.

Brief scores
Sri Lanka - 276 (Jayawardene 94, Sangakkara 76, Southee 3-59)
New Zealand - 280/6 (Williamson 103)
Result - New Zealand won by 4 wickets