Thisara Smash

Jan 05, 2019

Sri Lanka began this match on a positive note, getting rid of Martin Guptill - last game's centurion - early•AFP

But Colin Munro, under pressure to score runs, kept the scoreboard ticking with some powerful hits•Getty Images

Sri Lanka also lost two early wickets, but Danushka Gunathilaka was fluent at the top•AFP

Sri Lanka didn't help their cause with Asela Gunaratne's run out•Getty Images

The setting sun provides a picturesque silhouette of the crowd at the Bay Oval, who saw their home team win but also a classic counter-attacking knock•AFP

When Kane Williamson soon followed, New Zealand were in some trouble•Getty Images

Ross Taylor too continued his rich ODI vein, and kept the innings steady even though Munro was run out in a mix-up•Getty Images

The mounting asking rate consumed Gunathilaka, who skied the ball while attempting a big shot•AFP

But Thisara Perera then took charge to smash the bowlers to all parts of the ground•AFP

Jimmy Neesham then provided the thrust at the death once again with a quickfire 64 that gave New Zealand an imposing total•AFP

Ish Sodhi then ran riot among Sri Lanka's middle order, snaffling three wickets•Getty Images

Thisara raised a thunderous century off just 57 balls and went on to score 140, before he was the last man out as New Zealand squeezed out a win•AFP