A Scott Styris century and Daniel Vettori’s 200th ODI wicket was not enough to help the BLACKCAPS avoid defeat to Sri Lanka in Grenada.
The New Zealanders fell to a six-wicket defeat, their first loss of the ICC World Cup 2007, after Kumar Sangakarra led the chase of their 219 for seven.
Styris made an unbeaten 111, but his innings provided the bulk of his team’s runs, with Sangakkara’s 69 not out earning victory with 29 balls to spare.
Stephen Fleming won the toss and elected to bat, but lasted only five balls before falling to Chaminda Vaas, who took three top order wickets for 33 runs.
Vaas doubled up to remove Ross Taylor, the recalled batsman failing to get off the mark.
Styris and opener Peter Fulton (28) made steady progress from then on, moving the score on to 71 in the next 17 overs before Vaas struck again, aided by an excellent Sangakkara catch.
Muttiah Muralidaran picked up the reins and cut through the middle order, ending with three for 32.
Jacob Oram made 31 before becoming Tillekaratne Dilshan’s lone wicket, but James Franklin’s unbeaten 25 helped Styris bolster the total.
James Franklin and Shane Bond combined to remove Upul Tharanga (11) early in the reply, but the Sri Lanka’s proven batting strength came to the fore.
Sanath Jayasuriya made 64 before falling to Oram, and Vettori’s removal of Mahela Jayawardene (15) and Chamara Silva (24) saw him bring up a notable landmark.
However, left-hander Sangakkara again showed his class against the BLACKCAPS, leading his side home.
Sri Lanka moved level with the BLACKCAPS and Australia with the victory, although the Kiwis can move ahead again by defeating South Africa on Sunday (NZ time).
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