New Zealand take series after thumping win
Taylor, Williamson score 90s as Sri Lanka are beaten by 120 runs in the sixth ODI despite a fighting 81 by Sangakkara.
Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson fell agonisingly short of centuries but New Zealand’s imposing total ensured they beat Sri Lanka by 120 runs in the sixth ODI to take an unassailable 4-1 lead in their seven-match series.
Both batsmen fell in their nineties after combining in an 117-run partnership that powered New Zealand to 315 for eight wickets.
Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara tied the record for most ODI dismissals by a wicket-keeper and then returned to top-score for his team with 81 but their meek chase ended in the 41st over when they were shot out for 195.
Sri Lanka lost their last seven wickets for just 49 runs with New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson taking four for 52 and Mitchell McClenaghan picking up two in a strong bowling display by the hosts.
“You are not always going to get wickets, but today it was nice. It was nice to get through 10 overs today as well,” man-of-the-match Anderson said at the presentation ceremony.
“Feeling reasonably good with the bat, and I thought the way Rosco and Kane played helped make my job easier.”
Scorecard:
New Zealand 315-8 in 50 overs (Williamson 97, Prasad 2-59)
Sri Lanka 195 all out in 40.3 overs (Sangakkara 81, Anderson 4-52)