Cricket: NZ A fall to Sri Lanka

Grant Elliott top-scored for New Zealand A as Sri Lanka A drew level in the second match of their three-game 50-over series. Photo / Getty

Sri Lanka A drew level in the second match of their three-game 50-over series with New Zealand A in Pallekele.

Having been beaten in the opening match, the hosts won a rain-affected contest by 44 runs, using the Duckworth Lewis system.

Sri Lanka hit 291 for nine, with openers Kusal Perera and Dimuth Karunaratne sharing a 108-run partnership. Fast bowler Adam Milne was the most successful of the NZ A attack, taking five for 61 from his nine overs.

New Zealand's reduced target was 241 from 40 overs, but they fell well short, ending on 196 for seven.

Grant Elliott top scored with 63, while there were thirties from Anton Devcich and Daryl Mitchell.

Legspinner Seekkugge (crrt) Prasanna took five wickets, unusually all leg before wicket.
The final game in the series, and on NZ A's tour of the sub-continent, is on Thursday night.

Scores:
Sri Lanka A 291-9 (D. Karunaratne 81, K. Perera 65; A. Perera 36, C. de Silva 36; A. Milne 5-61, A. Ellis 2-40) bt New Zealand A 196-7 (G. Elliott 63, A. Devcich 36, D. Mitchell 36, L. Ronchi 22; S. Prasanna 5-38) by 44 runs