Sri Lanka's Sangakkara breaks ODI world record for dismissals

Sri Lanka secured a consolation victory from the last match of a one-day international series with New Zealand by beating their hosts by 34 runs in Wellington.

The Black Caps had already sewn up the series, but Sri Lanka ensured the final score read 4-2 thanks to a 21st ODI century from Kumar Sangakkara and two debut wickets from Dushmantha Chameera.

Kane Williamson top-scored for New Zealand with 54, and a late rally from Luke Ronchi and Daniel Vettori was suppressed in the final 15 overs before Sri Lanka's 287 for six was really threatened.

World Cup schedule

Sangakkara broke the world record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in one-day internationals on Thursday.

Sangakkara took his career tally to 473 dismissals when he caught Corey Anderson off the bowling of Shaminda Eranga in Sri Lanka's seventh match against New Zealand.

The 37-year-old went into the match tied on 472 dismissals with retired Australian keeper Adam Gilchrist.  

Unbeaten

Kumar Sangakkara scored an unbeaten 113 to anchor Sri Lanka to 287 for six wickets against New Zealand in the seventh and final one-day international in Wellington on Thursday.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (81) and Lahiru Thirimanne (30) gave Sri Lanka a good start, adding 71 for the opening wicket before the latter fell leg before to Corey Anderson.

Sangakkara, 37, walked out at number three and then added 104 for the second wicket before Dilshan was out caught by wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi off paceman Tim Southee.

The impressive knock off 105 deliveries moved Sangakkara to within 11 runs of Australian Ricky Ponting as the second most prolific batsman in ODI history.

He has now amassed 13,693 runs, with Ponting totalling 13,704 although both are well adrift of Indian master Sachin Tendulkar who scored 18,426.

Sri Lanka needed the expertise of Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan to give some respectability to their innings in the dead rubber, with New Zealand holding an unbeatable 4-1 lead in the series.

The pair put on 104 for the second wicket before Dilshan, one of the few Sri Lankans to have enjoyed his World Cup preparations in New Zealand, was caught behind for 81.

From six innings in the ODI series, Dilshan has hit two centuries and averaged 66.16.

Lahiru Thirimanne (30) had partnered Dilshan to get the innings away to a solid start before he was removed by Corey Anderson with the score at 71.

At the fall of Dilshan's wicket Sri Lanka were still looking strong at 175-2 and 17 overs remaining.

But as has been the pattern in their previous innings, Sri Lanka were able to make a flying start only to find there was no substance down the order.

Mahela Jayawardene, who opened with a century in game one of the series, went for 14, Seekkuge Prasanna, appearing in New Zealand for the first time made just one, Dinesh Chandimal could only add six.

Thisara Perera hit 20 off 12 in some late lusty hitting with Nuwan Kulasekara not out 12.

Corey Anderson was the most successful New Zealand bowler with three for 59 while Tim Southee took two for 50.

 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.