Cricket: Black Caps do enough to win

An unimpressive total of 224 for nine was enough for the Black Caps against Sri Lanka in the fourth one-day international (ODI) in Wellington today.

The visitors were bowled out for 203 in the 47th over. Shane Bond took three wickets, while James Franklin and Jeetan Patel took two each.

Chaminda Vaas had cleaned out the Black Caps batting line-up with a five-wicket bag.   

Vaas, in his 263rd match, ensured New Zealand would struggle to post a big total at Westpac Stadium as he finished with five for 39, his fourth five-wicket bag and taking his career tally to 337 scalps. 

It took a final over flurry from Franklin, who smacked 18 off Dilhara Fernando, to finish not out 29 from 27 balls, to push the Black Caps total up.  

Peter Fulton and Hamish Marshall both made half-centuries to anchor the New Zealand innings but failed to bat through as their teammates dropped off the pace.  

Skipper Stephen Fleming, returning after paternity leave, scored 37 at the top of the innings.

J Mubarak and KC Sangakkara hit half centuries for Sri Lanka.   

New Zealand lead the series 4-0.

- NZPA