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Perera maiden T20 century secures Sri Lanka consolation win over Blackcaps
AAP • January 2nd, 2025 7:00 pm
Photo: Chris Symes/Photosport
Top-order batsman Kusal Perera smashed 101 off 46 balls to set up Sri Lanka's consolation seven-run victory in the final T20 International against New Zealand, who won the three-match series 2-1 in Nelson.
Perera reached his 100 in 44 balls to power Sri Lanka to a commanding 218/5, with skipper Charith Asalanka (46) chipping in with a 24-ball cameo.
New Zealand wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay took a stunning catch to dismiss Pathum Nissanka after the Sri Lankan opener had top-edged Matt Henry.
Hay ran backwards chasing the skyer and took the catch near the boundary rope. Realising his momentum was taking him across the rope, Hay hurled the ball into the air and returned to complete the catch.
Rachin Ravindra (69) and Tim Robinson (37) gave New Zealand a strong start with an opening stand of 81 before the hosts lost a clump of wickets.
Daryl Mitchell (35) hit Asalanka (3 for 50) for four sixes in a row but fell in the 17th over as Sri Lanka reclaimed control of the match.
New Zealand No. 11 Zakary Foulkes made 21 not out off 13 balls, but the hosts could only manage 211/7 by their twenty overs.
"Scoring a hundred is always special," Perera said after claiming the player-of-the-match award.
"When I went in to bat, I got a wake-up call in the first ball (getting hit on the head by a bouncer) and it was good to get on from there."
New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy was adjudged player of the series for his eight wickets.
The three-match ODI series between the sides begins in Wellington on Sunday.
Sport Nation has live commentary of the Blackcaps' ODI series against Sri Lanka - available on all NZ frequencies and the Sport Nation app - available now on the App Store and Google Play.
