Ronchi, Elliott record stand sets up NZ win

FE Team | Published: January 24, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

NELSON: New Zealand\'s Grant Elliott (facing) celebrates 100 runs with team mate Luke Ronchi during the fifth ODI cricket match here Friday. — AFP Photo

DUNEDIN, Jan 23 (AFP): A record batting blitz by Luke Ronchi and Grant Elliott set New Zealand up for an overwhelming 108-run win over Sri Lanka in their fifth one-day international in Dunedin Friday.
In a stunning display of power hitting, Ronchi (170 not out) and Elliott (104 not out) bludgeoned an unbeaten 267 to lift New Zealand from 93-5 to 360-5 in their 50 overs in a world record sixth-wicket stand.
"It was an incredible batting performance by Luke and Grant," said New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum.
"After being 90-odd for five, getting us through to that total was something not witnessed too often.
Sri Lanka skipper Lahiru Thirimanne said the partnership made a mockery of their game plan on a green wicket.
New Zealand 360 for 5 (Ronchi 170*, Elliott 104*) beat Sri Lanka 252 (Dilshan 116, Boult 4-44) by 108 runs.