A century from in-form batsman Kane Williamson and some clutch hitting from Luke Ronchi saw the Black Caps to a four wicket win over Sri Lanka in Nelson on Tuesday.

Set 276 to win, New Zealand’s top order failed to fire until Williamson partnered with Grant Elliott for 88 runs and Corey Anderson for 79 runs to steady the chase in the middle overs.

Williamson was eventually bowled by Thisara Perera for 103 – his first ODI ton in New Zealand – with 44 still to chase off 36 deliveries.

Anderson lifted the run-rate after Williamson’s dismissal but was run out from a brilliant Dilshan throw while on 47, leaving Ronchi and Daniel Vettori with 31 to score from 26 balls.

Ronchi, who is quickly earning a reputation as a closer, smashed 24 off Perera in the 48th over to level the scores and Vettori wasted little time hitting a four off the first ball of the next over to win the game.

The Black Caps take a 2-1 lead in the seven-match series after the third encounter was rained out on Saturday.

Tim Southee was the main strike weapon with the ball for New Zealand, taking three wickets for 59 off 10 overs.

Adam Milne and Mitchell McClenaghan each picked up a brace with Milne the most economical of the bowlers, going for four an over off seven overs.

Anderson and Williamson each nabbed one wicket while Brendon McCullum earned a spectacular run-out near the end of the Sri Lankan innings.

The fifth ODI is on Friday in Dunedin.