Sangakkara content with consolation victory

Kumar Sangakkara - Cropped

Kumar Sangakkara wants Sri Lanka to build on the positives from Thursday's 34-run win over New Zealand in Wellington despite losing out in the seven-match one-day international series.

The hosts won the series 4-2 with Sri Lanka claiming a consolation victory as Sangakkara hit an unbeaten 113 before catching Corey Anderson off Shaminda Eranga to set a new record for dismissals as wicket-keeper with the 474th of his career.

Despite losing out overall, the veteran feels his side are moving in the right direction ahead of their Cricket World Cup opener against the Black Caps in Christchurch next month.

"It's been a good year. The entire team has been working very hard and the hard work has paid off with some good performances out in the middle," he said.

"The guys are disappointed for not winning the series, but we are pleased with how we have come out in the end. It is great being part of a team that pushes each player to be slightly better every day, or every tour.

"I just try to do the basics as well as I can, and if you take some of the performances from right through the series, you can see everyone has chipped in so it has been satisfying.

"The Black Caps have played outstandingly during the Tests and ODIs. There is a lot we can learn from them, but we also are proud of our cricket and how we do in big tournaments.

"We just want to take a week here to get our minds fresh before the World Cup begins."

Sri Lanka face South Africa and Zimbabwe on February 9 and 11 to round off their World Cup preparations.

Nuwan Kulasekara will be available despite being cited by the ICC for aggressively celebrating the dismissal of Luke Ronchi - his Level 1 charge does not carry a suspension.

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