New Zealand wrapped up their one-day series against Sri Lanka with a game to spare on Sunday when Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor orchestrated a 120-run win in game six. Williamson (97) and Taylor (96) provided the backbone of New Zealand's 315-8 in their 50 overs and Sri Lanka were all out for 195 in the 41st over. The win puts New Zealand 4-1 up in the seven-match series with one game washed out, and captain Brendon McCullum declared himself satisfied with their World Cup build up. There were also problems with their batting with only Kumar Sangakkara appearing at ease in the run chase with 81 off 66 deliveries. None of the other recognised batsmen were able to get past 30 as New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson stamped his mark on the game. Anderson smacked 40 from 28 balls to support Williamson and Taylor during New Zealand's innings and then took four for 52 with the ball as the Sri Lankan batsmen again showed a lack of fight.
After reaching 146-3, Sri Lanka lost their last seven wickets in 11.4 overs for just 49 runs following a familiar pattern of collapses in the series. Sangakkara went to the wicket in the 13th over after Tillakaratne Dilshan, who has two centuries so far in the series, was caught behind off Anderson for 21. Thirimanne lasted for 29 runs and Dimuth Karunaratne contributed 26. No other batsman reached double figures with Mahela Jayawardene surviving two reviews before being unquestionably caught for nine.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand: 315-8 in 50 overs (Kane Williamson 97, Ross Taylor 96, Corey Anderson 40; Dhammika Prasad 2-59) bt Sri Lanka: 195 in 40.3 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 81; Corey Anderson 4-52, Mitchell McClenaghan 2-29).
