Black Caps hold on despite Perera epic

Thisara Perera smashed 13 sixes to threaten one of one-day cricket's all-time great comebacks, but a brave Sri Lanka ultimately fell 21 runs short of New Zealand in the second ODI at Mt Mauganui.

After the visitors slumped to 7-128 chasing 320, Perera singlehandedly pulled his side from the brink of a comprehensive defeat to within touching distance of a famous win in an astonishing maiden century.

But the allrounder was finally dismissed for a 74-ball 140 in the 47^th over thanks to a terrific outfield catch from Trent Boult, with his exit seeing Sri Lanka bowled out for 298 with 22 balls remaining.

Perera's big-hitting spree eclipsed the Sri Lankan record for the most sixes struck in an ODI innings, breaking Sanath Jayasuriya's previous record of 11.

After the Kiwis posted 7-319 on the back of contributions from Ross Taylor (90) and Colin Munro (87), Sri Lanka were 192 runs adrift a little over halfway into their reply and a 2-0 series lead appeared only matter of time for the hosts.

But Perera found support from tailenders Lasith Malinga (who contributed 17 to a 75-run partnership), Lakshan Sandakan (six in a 51-run stand) and Nuwan Pradeep (an unbeaten three in a 44-run partnership).

The 29-year-old Perera was dropped by Martin Guptill shortly after reaching his first century international cricket, with the Kiwi injuring his finger in a further blow for the hosts.

Sri Lanka were still 66 runs adrift when they lost their ninth wicket but Perera proceeded to smash four sixes off one Tim Southee over to have Kiwi nerves jangling.

It was a fitting rebuke after conceding 34 runs off an over in the first ODI.

But Boult hung on to a fine diving catch to seal the victory.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson admitted the knock brought back memories of Marcus Stoinis' heroic hundred against the Black Caps at Eden Park in 2017.

Opener Danushka Gunathilaka had played his part at the top of the order with 71 but elsewhere the Sri Lankan batsmen failed to fire.

It continued a dismal tour for Sri Lanka who also lost the Test series 1-0 and lost the first ODI by 45 runs.

When New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat, Sri Lanka had their tails up when they removed first-match centurion Guptill and Williamson cheaply to have New Zealand at 39 for two.

But Ross Taylor and Munro swung momentum New Zealand's way with a 112-run stand for the third wicket, while allrounder James Neesham lit up the tail with a whirlwind 64.

Lasith Malinga was the pick of Sri Lankan bowlers with 2-45 while Sodhi took 3-55 to be New Zealand's standout.

The final match in the series is in Nelson next Tuesday and the tour closes with a Twenty 20 match in Auckland on Friday.

- with AFP.