Sri Lanka nearly paid the price for a lack of discipline in its bowling during its three-wicket victory over New Zealand at WestpacTrust Stadium in Wellington today.

Nine wides and nine no balls meant three extra overs had to be bowled at New Zealand while they made 204/7. Match referee Peter Burge took an over from Sri Lanka and it was with three balls left in the last over that Russel Arnold hit the winning runs for his side while finishing 78 not out after a genuine man of the match innings.

Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya was a relieved man.

"It was a tight game, a tight game. We gave them 18 runs too much today. No balls normally don't happen to our bowlers, but today it was too much.

"But Russell [Arnold] batted well really today," he said.

New Zealand won the toss and batted first on a wicket that got lower and slower as the day wore on.

"Batting second is not easy. The wicket became slower and the ball was not coming on. It was very difficult keeping the wickets intact. It was a bit unfortunate Aravinda [de Silva] got out, he was a bit unlucky," he said.

De Silva went leg before wicket to Daniel Vettori for 37 after a significant partnership off 63 in 94 balls with Arnold. Their stand had been vital because they avoided a collapse which would have exposed the tail.

"We needed to have wickets in hand because you can't take risks," Jayasuriya said.

"And in the 48th over the six runs off [Chris] Martin was absolutely crucial. The game changed.

"We were a bit worried when Aravinda was out. But we know that Russel has always been there. He has done it a lot of times, and has batted through the innings a lot of times. Everybody is happy for him and he is playing well," he said.

However, after going 2-0 up in the National Bank series, Jayasuriya was not yet prepared to claim the series.

"You never know. You have to play very hard to beat New Zealand. It is hard because we are playing them in their conditions. We will have to play at 110 per cent in Auckland.

"We have won three in a row, and there is a lot of confidence the bowlers are bowling well.

"I hope Chaminda [Vaas] will be available for Tuesday. He has bowled ok in the nets but he needs some confidence," he said.

© CricInfo