New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 2005-06

At Napier, January 8, 2006. Sri Lanka won by 20 runs. Toss: Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka collected a consolation victory in the final match, taking advantage of winning the toss for the first time and a New Zealand bowling attack short on firepower with Mills, Oram and Styris all injured. Sri Lanka scored consistently down the order, led by Sangakkara and Atapattu, and reached 273 on a good pitch. New Zealand started carelessly, losing Fleming and Vincent inside the first two overs. Astle buckled down while the lanky Fulton went for his strokes: they put on 108 in 20 overs before Astle provided Bandara with his first wicket in one-day internationals. Fulton continued serenely, hitting the first of his two sixes on to the roof of the main grandstand on the way to a maiden one-day century. New Zealand were favourites as Fulton and Marshall put on 78, but a collapse set in after Fulton was run out attempting a second, and Vaas chopped off the tail with three wickets.

Man of the Match: W. P. U. J. C. Vaas.