BLACKCAPS bowler Mark Gillespie claimed three Sri Lanka top-order wickets but left-handers Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara posted half-centuries in the opening innings of the fourth National Bank ODI at Auckland’s Eden Park.
Gillespie’s opening spell of three for 14 off four halted a rapid Jayasuriya burst of 70 in 44 balls, and ended an express opening stand of 102 with Upul Tharanga (22).
Jayasuriya’s knock included a devastating spell in which he hit four sixes off five balls faced to surpass Shahid Afridi as the world’s leading one-day international six-hitter.
But Sangakkara continued where his senior colleague left off, making a composed 79 to negotiate the middle overs as the tourists made 262 for six.
Stephen Fleming returned to the BLACKCAPS XI ahead of a potential series decider.
However, the skipper saw counterpart Mahela Jayawardene win the toss and electing to bat.
Fleming replaced James Marshall, with Craig McMillan also returning to the side for Nathan Astle. Jeetan Patel stepped up for Daniel Vettori, and Andre Adams came in for James Franklin.
Jayawardene recalled Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga and Chamara Kapugedera.
Jayasuriya clearly has his eye on the world ODI six-hitting record, and he launched a one-man demolition on the home attack after negotiating his first 50.
Standing one adrift of Pakistan master-blaster Shahid Afridi as play commenced, Jayasuriya let go after building a 50 partnership with Upul Tharanga.
The left-hander hit five massive hitting five sixes to reach his 50 in 32 balls, with Sri Lanka’s second 50 coming off only 22 balls.
But a cut off Gillespie fell short of the boundary and into the hands of Michael Mason.
Mason, the chief victim’s of the veteran’s onslaught, who gleefully extracted revenge, although the batsman‘s 70 off 44 balls will live long in the memory.
The tourists’ captain, Mahela Jayawardene, came in, but the skipper’s poor form continued.
He glanced his second delivery into the slips, with the returning Fleming making a fine diving catch to his right.
Gillespie returned following an Andre Adams maiden to strike again, clean bowling Tharanga.
Marvan Atapattu made 34 in a 91-run stand with the wicketkeeper before falling to Adams, with the latter moving on before playing to Ross Taylor off Shane Bond.
A fine Adams catch removed Farheez Maharoof for 21, including two sixes, to move his side’s total over the 250 mark, leaving Fleming to lead his side a run chase which could decide The National Bank Series.
