Guptill, Williamson help Kiwis claim narrow win against Lanka

Sri Lanka lost early wickets and was 5 for 86 at the halfway stage with top scorer Danushka Gunathilaka back in the pavilion after hitting 46 off 29 deliveries.

Sri Lanka’s spinners had marginally more success in slowing New Zealand’s run-rate but the visitors missed a chance to get rid of Guptill when he should have been run out when on 32 after being stranded by his batting partner.

New Zealand posted 4-182 at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval, based around rapid half-centuries to openers Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson. Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill provided a strong start for their team as the duo scored massively in the first few overs.

Williamson called for a quick single only for Chamara Kapugedera to throw down the stumps from side on with Guptill well short of the crease.

However, Ross Taylor (22 not out) played a nine-ball cameo to take New Zealand to 179 for nine in their 20 overs with the final five overs yielding 51 runs.

Boult (3-21) dismissed Tillakaratne Dilshan (0) and Jayasuriya (4) while his new-ball partner, Henry (3-44) accounted for the key wickets of Chandimal (7) and Angelo Mathews (4).

But late hitting from Milinda Siriwardana (42) gave the tourists hope before they eventually fell short, finishing at 179-9.

Henry returned back in the 15th over and conceded 15 runs but picked the key wicket of Perera to bring New Zealand back in the game.

In its chase, Sri Lanka was on the rails when reduced to 42 for 4, but Danushka Gunathilaka and Milinda Siriwardana resurrected the innings to make for an enticing finale. Williamson also had a close shave when he french-cut a delivery off Suranga Lakmal when on 30. That left them requiring 13 runs off the final over, but Grant Elliot held them at bay.

Chasing the total, Sri Lanka went on losing wickets in regular intervals.

Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal celebrates as New Zealand’s Martin Guptill is run out. On the third ball of the final over, however, Kulasekara was well caught in the deep by Boult. Henry and Boult picked three wickets apiece for New Zealand.

Trent Boult celebrates taking a wicket during their T20 match against Sri Lanka.