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January 02, 2006 (Link to Scorecard)

New Zealand have taken the lead in the 5-ODI Series with a 4-wicket win in a low scoring affair at Christchurch. It was a disappointing One Day match with the team batting first, Sri Lanka putting on just 112 on the board. The Black Caps worked extremely hard to overhaul the target, which they did through some top order failure. Michael Mason was the star of the day and also the Man of the Match for his 4 for 24 that had set the match up for New Zealand.

Sri Lanka had been put into bat first by Daniel Vettori and the visitors were struggling at 32 for 2 when rain had put a halt to the proceedings. When play resumed again, it was only put to a halt again by another rain break and by this time Sri Lanka had slipped to 68 for 5 in about 18 overs. The match was reduced to 46 overs per side and Sri Lanka were bowled out in a little over 35 overs for 112 with Marvan Atapattu top scoring with 28. Shane Bond on his return had taken the big wicket of Sanath Jayasuriya early on.

New Zealand's target was 110 in 46 overs according to the D/L Method and there was trouble right in the first over with Nathan Astle clean bowled by Farveez Maharoof. First match centurion, Ross Taylor was controversially given out when the slip fielder Dilshan was seen as taking a catch on the bounce which was picked by the TV Replays. The field umpires did not refer the decision to the third umpire. It was a Sri Lankan attack that was without Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga. New Zealand had a struggle as they lost six wickets for 70 on the board but an unbroken stand of 40 between Peter Fulton (43*) and James Franklin (15*) sealed the game with 21.3 overs to spare. The next ODI is on the 6th at Auckland.

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