Tharanga stars in Sri Lanka's win over New Zealand

Published>Fri, Aug 13 10 11:36 PM

Dambulla, Aug 13 (IANS) Upul Tharanga scored a valuable 70 as Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by three wickets in the second one-day international of the tri-nation series here Friday.

Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews shared six wickets as Sri Lanka restricted New Zealand to 192 rus in 48.1 overs. The home team raced on to make 195 for seven in 40.5 overs.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand failed to get past the 200-mark despite a fighting half-century from debutant opener Bradley-John Watling (55).

New Zealand found it hard to get a big partnership as fast bowlers Malinga picked up three for 35 and Mathews bagged three for 36.

Watling (55) and veteran all-rounder Scott Styris (24) added 52 runs for the fourth wicket, highest in their innings, after New Zealand were reduced to 47 for three. Nathan McCullum also scored a valuable 36.

Malinga reached a personal milestone of 100th ODI wicket, when he struck with the second delivery of the match to remove Martin Guptill caught by Chamara Kapugedara.

Watling and skipper Ross Taylor (16) then added 45 runs for the third wicket but Mathews picked up two wickets in three balls as New Zealand were reduce to 47 for three.

Mathews trapped Taylor leg-before and had Kane Williamson caught by Thilan Samaraweera in the slips for a second successive duck.

The 25-year-old Watling, struck eight fours in his 68-ball knock and completed his half-century by hitting left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for a four. He fell top-edging a pull off Mathews to wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara.

In reply, Sri Lanka lost Tillekaratne Dilshan (5) early in the third over, but the 85-run stand between Tharanga and skipper Kumar Sangakkara (48) took the hosts to safe shores. Matthews also contributed 36 runs.

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