They say 300 is the new 250 when it comes to One Day cricket.
But today, in the fifth and final one-dayer against Sri Lanka, the Black Caps just came up short after looking like they would score 300 plus.
Opener Martin Guptill, the highest scorer of one day runs in world cricket last year, carried on his impressive form with his 10th ODI century.
He miscued a few on a slowish and two-paced Bay Oval pitch but he also again showed what a superb player he is, especially down the ground.
He hit three sixes and nine fours in his 102 off 109 balls.
Guptill and Kane Williamson put on a century second wicket stand, after a three ball duck by opener Tom Latham.
Henry Nicholls batting at five also failed but with Ross Taylor adding 61 off 67 the run rate was always around the six an over mark.
Williamson looked all class at his home track in Mt Maunganui and it was a surprise when he fell for 61 – caught behind off a glove.
Some lusty hitting down the order by wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi (37 not out) and Mitchell Santner (21 not out) helped the side through to 294 for five.
Nuwan Kulasekara was the best of the bowlers, with three for 53.
Sri Lanka must win to square the series 2-all.
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