New Zealand crush Sri Lanka A by 185 runs

The New Zealanders crushed Sri Lanka A by 185 runs at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium as the hosts were dismissed for 91 chasing a stiff target of 276.

The Lankan chase got off to a poor start when opener Dilshan Munaweera was run out for 10. Kyle Mills then scythed through the batting order, taking three wickets in as many overs. He accounted for Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedara and Kushal Perera as Sri Lanka A were reduced to 25 for 4. The Sri Lankans never recovered from those early blows and kept losing wickets regularly, as the other New Zealand bowlers kept up the pressure. As many as seven batsmen failed to reach double figures as the hosts were bowled out in 22.4 overs.

Earlier, Bradley-John Watling and Jacob Oram scored contrasting half-centuries as New Zealand recovered from a mid-innings stutter to post a challenging 276. Opening the innings, Watling scored a patient 74 from 95 deliveries and shared an 88-run stand with his captain Ross Taylor who made 47 off 48. Watling was bowled by Jeevan Mendis with the score on 159. Grant Elliott and Gareth Hopkins fell soon thereafter to leave New Zealand struggling at 193 for 7. However, Jacob Oram combined with Mills in an unbeaten 83-run stand for the eighth wicket that came in only 9.5 overs. Oram provided a late flourish to the innings making 61 off only 45 deliveries with four fours and two sixes.