Cricket: NZ come back to win romp

Ross Taylor. Photo / Mark Mitchel

The Black Caps continued the impressive start to their Sri Lanka tour with a 185 run victory over Sri Lanka A last night.

The home side, chasing 276/7, could muster only 91 as the New Zealanders rolled them with 27 overs to spare.

The romp contrasted starkly to their hard-earned victory on Wednesday but provided their batsmen with some time in the middle in their last match before their Tri-Series opener against India on Tuesday.

Young tyro Kane Williamson failed to fire, dismissed for just five, but exciting left-arm bowling prospect Andy McKay continued his good form with two wickets.

Captain Ross Taylor hit a sparkling 47 (48 balls) to go with his match-winning 67 in the opening tour match.

Kyle Mills was the standout bowler, slicing through the top order as the Sri Lankans lost their first four wickets in the space of nine runs.

Mills ended with 3/20 from five overs, while McKay, Scott Styris, Jeetan Patel and Williamson all chipped wickets as the visitors took advantage of some nervy batting from the locals.

Earlier, BJ Watling anchored the innings with 74 (95 balls), combining well with Taylor while Jacob Oram took charge at the end, smashing 61 off just 45 deliveries after the the middle order slumped.

Recalled opener Peter Ingram, desperate to make his mark after missing the first game, was unluckily run out for 11 when the score was 23. Taylor and Watling put on 88 before the captain, who had scored a run-a-ball pace, was caught leg before sparking a mini collapse.

In the 41st over, New Zealand were 193/7. Oram steadied the ship and then helped himself to four fours and two sixes. He was ably supported by Mills who made 28 runs off 30 deliveries.