Jan 2 – Top order batsman Kusal Perera hit 101 off 46 balls as Sri Lanka registered a consolation seven-wicket win in the last T20 International match against New Zealand after the Kiwis swept the three-match series 2-1 in Nelson on Thursday.
Perera made 100 in 44 balls to lift Sri Lanka to a strong 218-5 (scotter Charith Asalanka came in 24 balls as a come-in).
It was a stunning catch from the New Zealand wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay that stumped out Pathum Nissanka who had been caught by the Sri Lankan opener, who had top-edged Matt Henry.
Hay reversed on the skyer and caught near the fence rope. With the ball swinging right to him across the line, Hay tossed it into the air and went back to make the catch.
New Zealand opened with Rachin Ravindra and Tim Robinson making 81 in their first stand, before the visitors got lost in a collection of wickets.
Daryl Mitchell hit four sixes from Asalanka but retired in the 17th over as Sri Lanka took the series back. New Zealand 11 Zakary Foulkes took 21 not out from 13 balls and hosts were eventually 211-7.
“You never know when you get 100,” Perera said, after winning the player-of-the-match award. ‘I was batting in first ball and had a wake up call and that was it.
Jacob Duffy of New Zealand, who took eight wickets, was named player of the series. Three-match ODI series between the teams opens in Wellington on Sunday.