Rain halts play in New Zealand v Sri Lanka game

SYDNEY, Jan 2 (Reuters) Sri Lanka were struggling at 68 for five when rain forced a second delay in the third limited-overs international against New Zealand in Christchurch today.

The start was delayed by 45 minutes because of morning showers and the players were twice forced to leave the field when the rain returned.

New Zealand seamer Michael Mason claimed four of the five wickets. Marvan Atapattu was the top scorer with 28.

The series is level at 1-1 after 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.

Reuters DH VP0702