Michael Mason and James Franklin guided the BLACKCAPS to a final-ball win over Sri Lanka in Queenstown to level The National Bank ODI Series at 1-1. 
The hosts chased down 224 with Mason striking a four off Sanath Jayasuriya's innings closer to complete an exciting one-wicket victory and restore parity in the five-match limited-overs campaign.
Franklin comprised a 29-run stand with State Wellington Firebirds colleague Mark Gillespie, hitting an unbeaten 45. James Marshall had provided the initial impetus with a knock of 50, his maiden ODI half-century.
Earlier, Franklin took one for 46 to garner a measure of retribution from the Sri Lanka top order for their ruthless performance in the seven-wicket victory at Napier.
Gillespie and Mason took two wickets each, but nemesis Kumar Sangakkara again made his presence felt.
The left-hander continued his form this season with 89 - an ODI ground record - before his run out to lift the tourists out of early trouble and help them to 224 for seven from their full 50 overs.
Captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and elected to field with a side including Craig McMillan, who replaced the injured Nathan Astle from the team that lost by seven-wickets at McLean Park.
Vettori’s choice to bowl paid early dividends, as Jayasuriya was removed by Mason off an attempted hook falling back onto his wickets.
Gillespie accounted for visiting captain Mahela Jayawardene, for four, before the State Central Stags seamer then doubled up to take Upul Tharanga (23).
Vettori bowled Marvan Atapattu (22), but Sangakkara again proved tricky to remove, posting a 74-run stand with Chamara Silva (31), having put on 52 with the former captain.
But quick thinking by Andre Adams in the 42nd over to divert the ball on to the stumps broke the stand, an identical dismissal to that of Astle in the previous game.
Silva followed in the next over when Hamish Marshall took a catch behind point off Franklin.
Gillespie rounded off the 47th over with the wicket of Tillekaratne Dilshan (eight), Taylor taking his second catch of the day on the square leg boundary.
James Marshall and McCullum prospered at the start of the BLACKCAPS reply, earning a half-century stand before the wicketkeeper was adjudged lbw off Farveez Maharoof.
Taylor (15), Peter Fulton and McMillan (both two) went in quick succession, the former run out while the State Canterbury Wizards duo falling to Muttiah Muralidaran.
Marshall failed to add any more after missing out in a chase for a quick single against Lasith Malinga at short mid-on.
Hamish Marshall was off the mark with a straight six, and contributed 29 before falling to Dilshan caught and bowled.
Andre Adams made six before falling to Murali, with Gillespie falling in the penultimate over.
But Chaminda Vaas bowled a wide to level the scores, and Mason faced off five Jayasuriya dot balls in the final over before striking a straight boundary to claim a dramatic victory.
