Sri Lanka keep series alive with 8-Wicket win over New Zealand in 3rd ODI

#NewZealand:   #SriLanka borrowed parts of New Zealand’s successful formula to win the third one-day cricket international by eight wicketson Thursday and kept alive the five-match series which New Zealand leads 2-1.

Sri Lanka restricted New Zealand to 276-8, in which Williamson’s 59 was the highest score, and a blazing 65 from 45 balls by opener Danushka Gunathilaka ignited a run chase which Tillakaratne Dilshan strengthened with a masterly innings of 91.

Dilshan put on 111 for the second wicket with Lahiru Thirimanne before his innings ended when he was run out with Sri Lanka 202-2.

Thirimanne made an unbeaten 87 in a 68-run partnership with Dinesh Chandimal (27 not out) which closed out the win with 20 balls remaining.

“A very satisfying and much-needed victory for us,” Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said. “We gave ourselves a chance to stay alive in the series and going forward to the fourth ODI we still have a chance to square the series.