Rain rescues Black Caps

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Rain saved New Zealand from defeat as their one-off Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka was abandoned due to the stormy weather in Pallekele.

The Kiwis made a terrible start to their tour opener, managing just 74 for seven in an innings reduced to 14 overs.

New Zealand were 28 for six at one stage, before Tim Southee’s unbeaten 21, from 10 balls, provided a degree of respectability.

The home bowlers shared the wickets, with young spinner Akila Dananjaya returning 2-9, before the rain returned to deny their batsmen any chance of chasing down the score.

Sri Lanka were six without loss after two overs when the weather set in for good.

The five-match one-day international series begins in Pallekele on Thursday.