Vaas trumps New Zealand

Sri Lanka 171 for 9 (Vaas 41 not out, J. Oram 3 for 30) beat New Zealand 157 (Chandana 3 for 14) by 14 runs
Scorecard

Sri Lanka's preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy started well with a 14-run victory against New Zealand at Shenley on Wednesday. Sri Lanka's top order was not the well-oiled machine that it hd been against South Africa, but a fine allround display from Chaminda Vaas, who scored 41 not out and took 1 for 21 with the ball, plus three late wickets from Upul Chandana, helped seal the win.

Sri Lanka, desperate to acclimatise to English conditions as quickly as possible, batted first. But Darryl Tuffey nipped out the openers, Sanath Jayasuriya (5) and Avishka Gunawardene (17). Jacob Oram dismissed Saman Jayantha (6) and Kumar Sangakkara (4) to leave Sri Lanka in deep trouble. Mahela Jayawardene also missed out when he was run out for 12.

But a handful of cameos allowed Sri Lanka to post a moderate 171-run total. First, Marvan Atapattu stroked 26, and then, Chandana chipped in with 20. Vaas guided home the lower order with support from Farveez Maharoof (19) and Nuwan Zoysa (10 not out).

Zoysa and Vaas took a wicket apiece with the new ball, but New Zealand's middle order rallied: Marshall hit 33, Scott Styris scored 26 and Jacob Oram stroked 33. New Zealand appeared to be strolling to an easy win but Chandana's entry into the attack change the game. First, he clean bowled Jacob Oram, and then, snapped up the wickets of Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori in quick succession.

Maharoof was a touch expensive but he snared the big gun, Chris Cairns, to open up the lower order. Chris Harris, the limited-overs expert, played well for his 31 not out but eventually ran out of partners. Chandana finished with 3 for 14 from six overs.

Sri Lanka's final warm-up game is against an ECB XI on the weekend and their first Champions Trophy match is against Zimbabwe at the Brit Oval on Tuesday.