Series win: Williamson, Taylor fireworks hand NZ ODI series win

The hosts thrash Sri Lanka by 120 runs to go 4-1 up in sixth match.

DUNEDIN: New Zealand wrapped up their ODI series against Sri Lanka with a game to spare yesterday 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 said he is happy with the performance. “It was a pretty clinical performance. Overall another step forward for us and we’re very pleased with the series win,” he said. On the other hand Sri Lanka, still without their injured strike weapon Lasith Malinga, have concerns about the quality of their attack.

“Our concern is with the bowling,” said stand-in captain Lahiru Thirimanne. “We bowled well in the first 30-35 overs but in the last 15, we couldn’t get the wickets and also leaked runs. That was disappointing.”

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 4-52 with the ball as the Sri Lankan batsmen again showed a lack of fight. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th,  2015.

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