HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka — New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets under the Duckworth/Lewis method in the rain-affected second One-Day International here Tuesday. Tom Latham hit 86, while Nathan McCullum scored a nine-ball 32 not out as New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in their three-match series. Chasing a revised total of 198 to win from 23 overs, New Zealand reached 203 for six on the last ball of the innings. Latham smashed 12 boundaries and a six off 68 balls to score 86, while Luke Ronchi smashed 49 off 26 balls to keep New Zealand in the hunt. The two Kiwi batsmen added 93 for the fifth wicket to stabilize New Zealand's innings, after they were reduced to 68 for four in 10.5 overs. Nuwan Kulasekara, who claimed 4-34, put New Zealand under pressure when he dismissed Latham and Ronchi in the same over. But Nathan McCullum's power hitting in the final over — off which New Zealand needed 20 runs to win — ensured that the tourists emerge victorious. McCullum swatted three sixes and a boundary off Rangana Herath's final over to seal a thrilling win. Though Sri Lanka had reached 138 for one against New Zealand in 23 overs, the revised total for the tourists was 198 as per the Duckworth-Lewis method. Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews had elected to bat after winning the toss. New Zealand, like in the first match struck early as skipper Kyle Mills dismissed opener Dimuth Karunaratne for four. Then the experienced pair of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara added 126 runs for the second wicket. Sangakkara hit a 59-ball 71, which included nine boundaries. The hosts were on 117 for one in 20.4 overs when rain stopped play. Sri Lanka managed to add 21 runs off the last 14 balls, once the match resumed. Brief scores: New Zealand (Target 198 D/L) 203-6 in 23 overs (Tom Latham 86, Luke Ronchi 49; Nuwan Kulasekara 4-34) beat Sri Lanka 138-1 in 23 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 71 not out, Tillakaratne Dilshan 55 not out; Kyle Mills 1-16). — Agencies
