By BV Swagath
Sri Lanka eased to a 7-wicket win in a rain-affected Fourth ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. With this the Lankans have sealed the 5-match ODI Series 3-0. It was an easy victory for the hosts set up by its bowlers as the Kiwis struggled to reach 131 for 8 in the allotted 32 overs.
Asked to bat first after losing the toss, the New Zealand innings was delayed by rain. The match was reduced to a 42-over contest after it resumed and the visitors were in tatters at 107 for 7 in 29.2 overs when another shower hit the ground. Play resumed after sometime with the match cut down to 32 overs per side. Not a single batsman got going for the Black Caps with Nuwan Kulasekara taking 2 for 17 in 5 overs, Jeevan Mendis taking 3 for 15 in 4 overs and Thisara Perera going for just 16 runs in his 5 overs.
Sri Lanka got to the D/L Target of 131 with 34 balls to spare and losing only three wickets. Dinesh Chandimal opening the batting in the absence of Dilshan top scored with a 65-ball 43 while Kumar Sangakkara remained unbeaten with 42 (from 55 balls with 5 fours and a six). Leg spinner Jeevan Mendis got the Man of the Match for demolishing the Kiwi middle order.
