Black Caps seal series win against Sri Lanka

New Zealand sealed an ODI series win over Sri Lanka in Mount Maunganui on Saturday night but a blockbusting knock from Thisara Perera, coupled with some woeful catching, took the gloss of what had previously been an impressive effort.

Perera slammed an incredible 140 from 74 balls to get the tourists within 21 runs of New Zealand’s 319-7.

He turned what was going to be a Black Caps romp into a nailbiting finale until falling to a desperate diving catch by Trent Boult in the 47th over.

“It was a fantastic innings,” admitted impressive NZ leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

“Any innings like that is obviously very special - I’d say nine times out of 10 they’d come up on the winning side but it was thanks to some early wickets that they didn’t have enough wickets in the tank to keep it going the entire 50 overs. “We’re happy to get away with the win and the series.”

Earlier, Colin Munro’s 87 equalled the left-hander’s best ODI score and could have been much more, if not for a run-out mix-up with Ross Taylor in the 26th over.

New Zealand also got strong contributions with the bat from Taylor (90) and Jimmy Neesham (64 from 37 balls).

Chasing another stiff target, Sri Lanka faltered as legspinner Sodhi snared 3-55 off his full complement of 10 overs.

Sodhi found a marvellous rhythm, hitting a sweet length and line and his figures were only spoiled by some late hitting from all-rounder Perera when all seemed lost for Sri Lanka.

Chasing another stiff target, Sri Lanka faltered as legspinner Sodhi snared 3-55 off his full complement of 10 overs.

Sodhi found a marvellous rhythm, hitting a sweet length and line and his figures were only spoiled by some late hitting from all-rounder Perera when all seemed lost for Sri Lanka.