Kiwis 117 for 6 as rain spoils third one dayer

Rain proved to be a spoiler once again in the third one day international between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at Pallekele as play had to be stopped after 14 overs with the New Zealand scoreboard reading 41 for two wickets when play resumed New Zealansd lost four more wickets that of Skipper Ross Taylor,Jacob Oram, James Franklin and Keith Williamson and were 117 for six in 27 overs at the time of going to press.

Sri Lanka won the toss and invited the visitors to take first lease of the wicket. The Kiwis were off to a shock start when RJ Nicol was caught by skipper Mahela Jayawardena off the bowlng of Lasith Malinga with the total at 9. B. J. Watling was joined by hard hitting Brendon McCullum and they took the score to 31 before McCullum was trapped leg before wicket by paceman Anjelo Mathews for 13.

Then, Wattling and Skipper Ross Taylor brought the score to 41 before the rain started again and play had to be stopped. Brendon McCullum who was a doubtful starter for this game was declared fit before the game and was chosen for the side.

When play resumed Ross Taylor was run out from a throw from Mendis and then Wattling was joined by Jacob Oram who did not last long being leg before wicket to Mendis only for two runs. Then, Wattling and James Franklin brought the score to 117 before Franklin was bowled for hard hit 26 by Nuwan Kulasekara and then Keith Williamson was caught by Mathews off Mendis for 5 and New Zealand were 117 for six in 27 overs with Wattling unbeaten on 50.