Sri Lanka stuttered to a three wicket win over the BLACKCAPS with nine overs to spare in the One-Day International tri-series in Dambullla.
The BLACKCAPS, electing to bat, were rolled for 192 in 48.1 overs after Sri Lankan strike bowlers Lasith Malinga and Angelo Matthews took six wickets between them.
Debutant BJ Watling was the mainstay for the tourists, hitting 55 while Nathan McCullum chipped in with a useful 36 down the order.
It was a disappointing effort from the top order with Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson both failing to score.
Malinga finished with three for 35 while Mathews returned three for 36.
Like the BLACKCAPS, Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start losing Tillakaratne Dilshan early but Upul Tharanga and Kumar Sangakkara steaded with a solid 85 run partnership for the second wicket.
When Thuranga went for 70 in the 37th over they got the wobbles, losing four wickets in three overs in a failed effort to seal the victory within 40 overs and secure a bonus point.
Thilan Samaraweera helped guide his team to victory with an unbeaten 36.
BLACKCAPS seamer Kyle Mills was standout performer with the ball taking four for 41 in the losing effort.
The next match of the tri-series is between Sri Lanka and India on Monday 16 August with the BLACKCAPS again facing Sri Lanka on Thursday 19 August.
