Sri Lanka thrash Kiwis to win series

Sri Lanka thrashed New Zealand by nine wickets in the rain-affected one-day international in Auckland on Tuesday to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Attapattu dominated the New Zealand attack in their opening stand of 158 as the tourists made light work of the 181 run target, passing it in 29.5 overs.

Captain Jayasuriya smashed 10 fours and six sixes as he raced to his 10th one day international century off just 76 balls -- his second fastest -- before being caught on the boundary for 103.

Attapattu and Kumar Sangakkara then led Sri Lanka home, with Attapattu bringing up his 28th one-day half-century in 78 balls, including four fours and one six. He finished not out on 59.

In contrast to the Sri Lankans, the Kiwi batsmen struggled in their innings and were bowled out in 45.4 overs after rain had delayed the start of play and reduced the match to 47 overs each.

The best partnership was 52 for the third wicket between Nathan Astle (33) and top scorer Craig McMillan (61). After that stand was broken, wickets fell regularly until last batsman Chris Martin was bowled by Dilhara Fernando.

Kumar Dharmasena was the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers with three for 33 and his dismissal of McMillan brought up his 100th one-day wicket.

Mail Cricket Editor