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Sri Lanka leveled the substantial ODI series against New Zealand in Hamilton on Thursday, winning the second match by six wickets thanks to a century from veteran opener Tillakaratne Dilshan.

A Kane Williamson century helped New Zealand overcome visitors Sri Lanka by four wickets in the fourth One-Day International (ODI) at the Saxton Oval in Nelson on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews was rueful about his side's poor batting effort in the first innings against New Zealand, which he felt ruled them out of the game early on already.

Sri Lanka have dropped opening batsman Kusal Perera and recalled bowler Nuwan Kulasekara for the seven-match ODI series against New Zealand, which begins in Christchurch on 11 January.

Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath will miss his team's seventh and final match in the current ODI series against hosts New Zealand in Wellington on Wednesday.

Kumar Sangakkara's 21st ODI century was the backbone for his side's 34-run victory against New Zealand on Thursday, as the visitors wrapped up the series with a consolation win in the seventh ODI in Wellington.

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor scored his first half century of the Sri Lanka tour this past weekend, making 96, but said he hadn't been 'out of form' per se, just not scoring many runs.

Sri Lanka chief selector Sanath Jayasriya has admitted that the team's preparation for the upcoming World Cup is not ideal but is confident that they could turn things around before the showpiece event gets underway in mid-February in New Zealand and Australia.

Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor shared in a partnership of 117 for the third wicket that was the cornerstone of New Zealand's 120 run victory over visitors Sri Lanka at the University Oval in Dunedin on Sunday to take an unassailable four-one series lead in the seven-match series.

Sri Lanka team manager Michael de Zoysa has confirmed that fast bowler Lasith Malinga is still on course to play in the World Cup, which starts in Australia and New Zealand on 14 February.