New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by four wickets

SYDNEY, Jan 2 (Reuters) New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in their third one-day international in Christchurch today to lead the five-match series 2-1.

Set a revised target of 110 off 46 overs to win after Sri Lanka made 112 all out from their rain-shortened innings, New Zealand reached the mark in the 25th over when Peter Fulton smacked Dilhara Fernando for six.

Fulton finished unbeaten on 43 with all-rounder James Franklin after the pair shared an unbroken partnership of 40 to guide the Kiwis to victory after they had slumped to 70-6.

Sri Lanka had earlier recorded their lowest one-day score in 64 matches against New Zealand, collapsing to be all out inside 36 overs.

New Zealand seamer Michael Mason captured four wickets while left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori claimed two. Marvan Atapattu top scored for Sri Lanka with 28 off 26 deliveries.

The match was reduced to 46 overs each after a series of rain stoppages. The start was delayed by 45 minutes because of morning showers, then the players were twice forced to leave the field during Sri Lanka's innings.

Sri Lanka won the first match by seven wickets in Napier and New Zealand replied with a thrilling one-wicket victory in Queenstown on Sunday.

The next match is in Auckland on Saturday with the final game in Hamilton next Tuesday.

REUTERS SAM RN1140