 Dilhara Fernando halted a positive start by the Dutch batsmen |
Sri Lanka again proved too strong for The Netherlands as they wrapped up a 2-0 series victory at Amstelveen. After a one-day record total of 443-9 earlier this week, their 313-8 seemed modest by comparison but they still won the game by 55 runs.
Darron Reekers gave the Dutch a flying start in reply, hitting nine boundaries in his 45, and skipper Luuk van Troost made 40 in the middle of the innings.
But spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi took 4-44 as they were bowled out for 258.
It was a seventh successive victory for Sri Lanka, who recently inflicted a 5-0 whitewash on England.
They left out former skipper Sanath Jayasuriya after his superb 157 in the first match but had more than enough strength in depth to cope with a Dutch side, who also have their sights set on next year's World Cup in the Caribbean.
Tharanga and Chamara Kapugedera (38) set a positive tempo for the innings which was continued by Dilshan and Russel Arnold (42) in a fourth wicket partnership of 93.
There were some plus points for The Netherlands as Reekers (3-54) and Peter Borren (1-44) bowled well, but Billy Stelling's two wickets came at a cost of 91 from 10 overs.
Reekers and Bas Zuiderent began the Dutch innings with a stand of 66 but they, together with South Africa-born debutant Eric Szwarczynski (10), fell to Dilhara Fernando during a spell of 3-27 from the paceman.
Daan van Bunge (33) and van Troost hit two sixes each in a show of defiance and Borren chipped in with 34 late on before Farveez Maharoof bowled last man Pieter Seelaar with the final delivery of the 49th over to end the game.