Mendis takes 3 wickets as Sri Lanka holds New Zealand to 131-8 in rain-hit 4th ODI

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka — Leg spinner Jeevan Mendis took a career best 3-15 as Sri Lanka held New Zealand to a meagre 131-8 in 32 overs in a rain-affected fourth one-day international on Saturday.

The match was initially reduced to 42 overs as rain started soon after the toss and a further 10 overs were cut because of a second rain break during the innings.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and put the Kiwis into bat with the hosts taking regular wickets. Brendon McCullum was the highest scorer for New Zealand with 30.

Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara produced the breakthrough for Sri Lanka when he had Kiwi opener Rob Nicol caught by Upul Tharanga for 11 with the total on 16. BJ Watling, who hit an unbeaten 96 in the 3rd ODI, was run out trying to steal a second run. He made 15.

McCullum looked promising before being caught by Dinesh Chandimal in the deep off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

Captain Ross Taylor (6) slashed at a wide delivery from Thisara Perera and edged the ball to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara.

Mendis bowled Kane Williamson (21) and Nathan McCullum (0) with successive googlies. He later trapped Andrew Ellis lbw without scoring to finish with his best bowling in one-day international cricket.

Kulasekara had 2-17.

11:27ET 10-11-12