At Westpac Stadium, Wellington, January 6, 2006 (day/night). New Zealand won by 21 runs. Toss: New Zealand. One-day international debut: C. M. Bandara.

Sri Lanka seemed set to record their first win of the tour when they sped past 100 in the 17th over, in reply to New Zealand's modest 224, with Mubarak reaching his first one-day fifty for Sri Lanka and Sangakkara his 25th. But then tight bowling from the spinners strangled the innings. The Sri Lankans panicked under the lights, the scoring-rate dropped, Bond came back to snatch three quick wickets, and the New Zealanders gleefully accepted a win that had seemed beyond their reach. The result was especially unfortunate for Vaas, who had taken two early wickets after Fleming chose to bat, then returned to take three more late on to finish with five for 39. Marshall, controversially preferred to Astle, and Fulton both scored 50, but it took some late fireworks from Franklin to propel New Zealand past 200.

Man of the Match: J. S. Patel.