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NZA clinch series

Tuesday, April 6 2004

A Mathew Sinclair century was the highlight of the second one day international at Bert Suttcliffe Oval, Christchurch. New Zealand made 328-4 and managed to restrict Sri Lanka to 273 to win by 55 runs and to take the three game series 2-0.

Sri Lanka 'A' won the toss and elected to bowl first. Jamie How and Sinclair made to punish the Sri Lankans for their decision to bowl first, putting on 100 before How was out LBW b Kashual Lokuarachchi for 45 off 42 balls.

Sinclair and Hamish Marshall was continue to punish the Sri Lankans for a sloppy bowling and fielding performance continuing to score at a rate better then a run a ball. Sinclair passed his century in the process before Thilian Samaraweera had Sinclair caught by Ian Daniel for 107. New Zealand were still in the drivers seat at 203-2.

However, Sri Lanka had another wicket two runs later when Maligna bowled Ross Taylor without troubling the scores to give Sri Lanka some hope. Lou Vincent came in and joined Marshall at the crease and were able to score at a run-a-ball and even better as Vincent made his way to 41 off 39 balls before being stumpted by Prassana Jayawardene off the bowl of Lokuarachchi who has been one of Sri Lanka's best bowlers in this series. New Zealand were at 279-4.

Chris Harris came to the crease and managed along with Marshall able to take the score past 300, hitting an unbeaten 23 off 15 balls. New Zealand finished at 328-4 with Marshall not out on 96. Clearly bowling first was not a wise idea.

Jehan Mubarak didn't last long before hitting a return catch to James Franklin - who came in for Shane Bond - for 5 with the score on 6. Daniel made his way to 10 before edging the ball behind to be caught by Gareth Hopkins b Kyle Mills with the score on 19. Sri Lanka 'A' 19-2 and on the back foot early on.

Silva showed a good display of stroke play to try and give his team some hope, but lost Samaraweera when he was ran out for 3, and puttin Sri Lanka on the back foot at 43-3. Mohamed Nawaz made his way to 11 before he was caught behind by Hopkins b Michael Mason. Sri Lanka further in the mire at 64-4.

Silva and Kandamby then produced to give their country to some hope at winning both putting on half centuries and took to Bruce Martin by hitting him around the park to the point where Martin ended up conceding 77 of his ten overs. On 213 Mills struck another blow for Sri Lanka when he drew Silva into a false shot and was caught by Franklin for 89 off 113 balls. Sri Lanka 213-5.

Kandamby and Jayawardene put on another 6 runs before being caught by a sub fielder b Harris for 84 off 65 balls. On 261, Martin and How won the game for New Zealand losing Lokuarachchi (LBW b Martin23 off 16), Masharoof (C&b How 1 off 4), Maligna (b Martin c Harris 8 off 4), and Jayawardene (b Martin c Harris 24 off 23) on the scores on 261, 264 and 273, and 273. Sri Lanka lost four wickets for 12 runs. Martin finished with 3-77.

New Zealand 'A' 328-4: (Sinclair 107, H.Marshall 96*, How 45; Lokuarachchi 2-61, Samaweera 1-53)
Sri Lanka 'A' 273: (Silva 89, Kandamby 84, P.Jayawardene 24; B.Martin 3-77, Mills 2-27)

Result: New Zealand 'A' won by 55 runs and lead the best of 3 match series 2-0.

Posted by Craig