An astonishing assault from Sri Lankan master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya and another classy knock from Kumar Sangakkara combined to set New Zealand 263 to win their one-day cricket series at Eden Park today.
Jayasuriya smacked a sensational 70 from just 44 balls while Sangakkara (79) steadied the inningsafter three wickets were lost for just one run as Sri Lanka sought to ensure the fifth match in Hamilton on Tuesday is a decider.
Sri Lanka rocketed to 102 without loss after just 15 overs on the back of the 37-year-old's flashing blade but when the opener's departure was followed in quick succession by Mahela Jayawardene (0) and Upul Tharanga (22) the innings lost some momentum.
Mark Gillespie was the saviour for New Zealand, spiking the Sri Lankan's explosive start by effecting the triple breakthrough.
He ended the innings with career best figures of three for 39 off 10 overs.
Sangakkara and Marvan Atapattu added 91 runs in a fourth-wicket stand spanning 24.2 overs.
Sangakkara eventually fell in the 48th over when mistiming Shane Bond to midwicket but some lusty hitting from Farveez Maharoof (21 off 11) enabled the Sri Lankans to post a competitive 262 for six.
New Zealand were weakened by the late defections of Daniel Vettori (virus) and James Franklin (knee) although captain Stephen Fleming makes his first appearance of the series after being rested for the three previous encounters.
Scoreboard
Sri Lanka
U Tharanga b Gillespie 22
S Jayasuriya c Mason b Gillespie 70
M Jayawardene c Fleming b Gillespie 0
K Sangakkara c Taylor b Bond 79
M Atapattu c McCullum b Adams 34
C Kapugedera not out 10
F Maharoof c Adams b Bond 21
C Vaas not out 5
Extras (11lb, 4nb, 6w) 21
Total (for 6 wkts, 50 overs) 262
