KEY POINTS:
New Zealand went all the way to the wire before beating Sri Lanka by one wicket in the second one-day international at Queenstown today.
A last-ball four from tail-ender Michael Mason gave the Black Caps the victory as they chased down Sri Lanka's 224-7.
Mason faced five dot balls before hitting Sanath Jayasuriya down the ground to carry New Zealand to 228 for nine.
James Franklin was unbeaten on 45 off 46 balls.
New Zealand won the toss and sent Sri Lanka in to bat.
The tourists lost three early wickets but improved to 147-4 after 37 overs and scored freely at the end of their innings.
Jayasuriya was the first to go, played on in the second over. Kumar Sangakkara top scored with 89.
Under-pressure pace bowlers Mark Gillespie and Mason both took two wickets apiece while Daniel Vettori tied down an end, bowling 10 overs unchanged for the concession of 37 runs.
He also took the wicket of Marvan Atapattu for 22.
The win levelled the five-match series 1-1.
Nathan Astle was rested as a precautionary measure. Craig McMillan came in, with James Marshall opening the batting.
The weather was fine and cool in Queenstown.
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum, James Marshall, Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Daniel Vettori (captain), Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, James Franklin, Andre Adams, Mark Gillespie, Michael Mason, Jeetan Patel (12th man).
Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Marvan Atapattu, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chamara Kapugedera (12th man).
- NZHERALD STAFF, NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA
