Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Kiwis & Sri Lanka suffer washout-5th ODI,Srilanka VS Newzealand

One-day international, Hamilton: New Zealand v Sri Lanka
No result - match abandoned due to rain

New Zealand and Sri Lanka had to settle for a 2-2 draw in their one-day series after the deciding game in Hamilton was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Home skipper Stephen Fleming won the toss and put Sri Lanka in but rain then arrived to prevent any play.

The game will be recognised, however, as Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya's world record 375th one-day appearance, one more than India's Sachin Tendulkar.

And it will also count as the 100th of umpire Billy Bowden.

New Zealand now head for Australia where they will take part in a triangular series, also involving England, while Sri Lanka will play four games in India next month.

Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody was satisfied with his team's campaign, which saw them come from behind to level both the Test and one-day series - and claim a 1-1 draw in the Twenty20 games.

"We've had a challenging series, we've enjoyed every bit of it and we can walk away with our heads held high," he said.

"It was nice in the Test series to bounce back after losing the first game, which is always a tough thing to do, the guys showed some character there.

"The one-day series has been a bit of a mixed bag, we played some good cricket and also some poor cricket.

"Overall I'm pleased, it would have been nice to have played this fifth game as I felt we were building some momentum, and New Zealand were not really hitting their straps.

"Traditionally, away from home a lot of sub-continent teams struggle in places like New Zealand and England but this team is starting to turn the corner with regards to touring, a lot of it is down to self belief."

New Zealand seamer James Franklin has been troubled by an injury to his left knee and admitted that surgery may be required.

"At some stage it's probably going to be needed but I saw the specialist and we're confident I should be able to get through the summer," he said.

"It's not a bad result, both sides are pretty even, there was a lot of up and down cricket from both teams and a draw in all three series is fair."

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