All-round Sri Lanka Seal Three-wickets Win Over Kiwis

Angelo Mathews took three wickets in an over to set New Zealand backfoot in the second match in Dambulla.

Dambulla: Tharanga's 75, captain Sangakkara's 48 and Samaraweera's unbeaten 36 took Sri Lanka to a three-wickets victory over New Zealand in the 2nd ODI.

Some drama in the end as Sri Lanka lost a few wickets, going for the bonus point but Samaraweera steered them home.

The Black Caps could not quite be at their best today after their brilliant performance in the first ODI. After electing to bat yet again, their top order faltered once more but Watling made an impressive half-century on debut but nothing from the others once again except a fighting 36 from Nathan McCullum.

Malinga and Mathews were impressive with their three wickets each. 193 was supposed to be a tricky target under lights and the Kiwis got right into the game with the early wicket of Dilshan, but Tharanga and Sangakkara put rumours of a collapse to rest as they stitched a fine 85-run stand for the second wicket which almost sealed the game for the hosts.

Tharanga played a fabulous knock of 70 but just when things were starting to look monotonous, Sri Lanka made things interesting as they went after the bonus point and Tharanga's dismissal triggered a collapse and they fell short of gaining the bonus point by just 5 deliveries.

The Kiwis kept picking up wickets but unfortunately, the target of 193 was not enough to stop the Lankans and Samaraweera guided them home with an unbeaten 36. Kyle Mills was the most successful bowler with 4-41.

Brief score
New Zealand 192 (Watling 55, Malinga 3-35, Mathews 3-36)
Sri Lanka 195 for 7 (Tharanga 70, Mills 4-41)
Result Sri Lanka won by three wickets
Points Sri Lanka 4, New Zealand 0
MOM Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
West Indies vs Bangladesh - 3rd T20I South Africa vs Pakistan - 2nd ODI 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 21, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 2nd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 232 runs 3rd Test - Australia v India at Brisbane Match drawn

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