NELSON:
Kusal Perera cracked a career-best 101 off simply 46 balls as Sri Lanka secured a comfort seven-run victory within the third and last Twenty20 match in opposition to New Zealand in Nelson on Thursday.
Sri Lanka posted 218-5 of their 20 overs and New Zealand replied with 211-7.
New Zealand had already wrapped up the collection after profitable the primary two video games by eight and 45 runs respectively when the Sri Lankan center order failed to fireplace.
However Perera was decided to point out there was struggle within the guests as he plundered 4 sixes and 13 fours to register the quickest century by a Sri Lankan in T20 internationals.
He was helped by being dropped on 15 and 60 earlier than he was caught at level by Rachin Ravindra off Daryl Mitchell within the penultimate over.
He was additionally shaken by the primary ball he confronted from Zak Foulkes which was edged in direction of third man.
“It was a wake-up name so I needed to again myself and attempt to execute my regular recreation,” Perera stated.
“The coach had stated ‘when you get a begin you need to end the sport’, in order that’s why I used to be attempting to do my greatest.”
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka stated he all the time felt his facet have been able to beating New Zealand regardless of the primary two losses.
“It is a good win for us. All through the collection we’ve got performed good cricket however could not handle to get a win and at last we acquired it,” he stated.
Perera featured in partnerships of 41 with Avishka Fernando (17) after which 100 with Asalanka, who hammered 46 off simply 24 deliveries with 5 sixes and one 4.
Sri Lanka, opening the batting for the primary time within the collection, had 24 on the board inside three overs earlier than Pathum Nissanka went for 14 after an distinctive catch by Mitchell Hay.
Wicketkeeper Hay needed to dash again to the boundary to take the top-edge after which throw it within the air as he stepped over the boundary earlier than returning to the sector of play to finish the dismissal.
New Zealand maintained the required 11-an-over run price via 15 overs led by 69 off 39 balls from Ravindra.
Tim Robinson added 37 off 21 and Daryl Mitchell smacked 35 off 17 together with 4 sixes within the last over by Asalanka. Asalanka, a part-time bowler, had 3-25 off his first three overs and completed with 3-50.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka play the primary of three One-day internationals in Wellington on Sunday. AFP
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