Sri Lanka razed New Zealand's top-order Saturday to comfortably win the third one-day international in Auckland by 140 runs and salvage a lone victory in the series.

 

Sri Lanka won the 3rd ODI cricket match against New Zealand at Auckland by 140 runs.
SL 290/8
NZ 150#LKA #NZvSL #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/toRnC8hdBh

— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) January 11, 2025

The home side's hopes of chasing down Sri Lanka's 290-8 nosedived when they crumbled to 21-5 at Eden Park, before being dismissed for 150 off 29.4 overs.

Sri Lanka rebounded after suffering heavy defeats in the first two games to cede the three-match series.

It mirrored the pattern of the preceding T20 series, which New Zealand also won 2-1.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka was pleased his side could show what they are capable of.

"I think it's always great to make comeback like this but unfortunately, we lost first two of both series," he said.

"But today, this was a pleasure to watch."

The visitors were led by some lethal seam bowling from Asitha Fernando and Eshan Malinga, who claimed three wickets each, as did spinner Maheesh Theekshana.

Fernando (3-26) was the chief destroyer with the new ball as New Zealand's first five wickets tumbled inside the first seven overs.

The victory margin would have been greater, were it not for Mark Chapman's 81 off 81 balls, the No 3 New Zealand batsman the last out when he was bowled by Theekshana (3-35).

No other New Zealander reached 20, with five of the top six dismissed for two runs or less.

Earlier, injured opener Pathum Nissanka top-scored for Sri Lanka with 66 off 42 balls.

Nissanka, was on 50 off 31 balls when he retired hurt after suffering an apparent hip injury, having got his team off to a flying start at 66 without loss in 10 overs.

He recovered and returned in the 34th over to add a further 16 runs, hitting six fours and five sixes in total.

There were half-centuries from Kusal Mendis (54 off 48) and Janith Liyanage (53 off 52) in a vastly improved Sri Lankan batting effort.

New Zealand seamer Matt Henry continued a fine series, claiming 4-55 to lift him to 150 ODI wickets, while captain Mitchell Santner took 2-55 with his spin.

Santner said the target of 291 was "about par" at Eden Park but the game was ripped away from them by Sri Lanka's bowlers.

"Asitha got the ball swinging, they took their catches and made it challenging for us," Santner said.

"We'll take it on the chin. A little disappointing, probably not the way we wanted to finish the series after playing quite well."

 

Sri Lanka end their tour of New Zealand with a huge win!

Three wickets apiece for Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga, while Mark Chapman played a lone hand with his run-a-ball 81 as the hosts crashed to 150 all out chasing 291 https://t.co/9qLi4xWQLT #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/KEeQpnzl4q

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 11, 2025

 

New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl on Sunday against Sri Lanka in the first one-day international in Wellington.

The teams are coming off a 2-1 win to New Zealand in a three-match T20 series.

Both teams feature a number of changes from the third and final T20 which Sri Lanka won by seven runs in Nelson on Thursday.

New Zealand have omitted experienced wicketkeeper/batsman Tom Latham, who is experiencing "soreness".

His place is taken by Mitchell Hay, who will play his fourth one-day international.

Conditions at the Basin Reserve are cold and overcast, with a forecast for possible showers through the day.

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NEW ZEALAND: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay, Mitchell Santner (capt), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Will O'Rourke

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando

Top order batsman Kusal Perera smashed 101 off 46 balls to set up Sri Lanka's consolation seven-run victory in the final T20 International against New Zealand, who won the three-match series 2-1 in Nelson on Thursday.

Perera reached the 100 mark in 44 balls to power Sri Lanka to a commanding 218-5 with skipper Charith Asalanka (46) chipping in with a 24-ball cameo.

New Zealand wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay took a stunning catch to dismiss Pathum Nissanka after the Sri Lankan opener had top-edged Matt Henry.

Hay ran backwards chasing the skyer and took the catch near the boundary rope. Realising his momentum was taking him across the rope, Hay hurled the ball into the air and returned to complete the catch.

Rachin Ravindra (69) and Tim Robinson (37) gave New Zealand a strong start with an opening stand of 81 before the hosts lost a clump of wickets.

Daryl Mitchell (35) hit Asalanka (3-50) for four sixes in a row but fell in the 17th over as Sri Lanka reclaimed control of the match.

New Zealand number 11 Zakary Foulkes made 21 not out off 13 balls but the hosts eventually managed 211-7.

"Scoring a hundred is always special," Perera said after claiming the player-of-the-match award.

"When I went in to bat, I got a wake-up call in the first ball (getting hit on the head by a bouncer) and it was good to get on from there."

New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy was adjudged player of the series for his eight wickets.

Three-match ODI series between the sides begins in Wellington on Sunday.

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 NEW ZEALAND: Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka (capt), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara

Crucial wickets to Jacob Duffy and a rollicking cameo with the bat by Mitchell Hay saw New Zealand beat Sri Lanka to wrap up their Twenty20 series with a game to spare at Mount Maunganui on Monday.

New Zealand made 186-5 in their 20 overs, with player-of-the-match Hay cracking an unbeaten 41 from 19 deliveries.

Sri Lanka in reply were all out for 141 with Duffy taking four wickets for a miserly 15 runs, including the tourists' top scorers Kusal Perera for 48 and Pathum Nissanka for 37.

"I said at the start whoever could use the wind the best would do pretty well, and we were able to do that with the bat," New Zealand captain Mitchell Santer said, while also praising Duffy's bowling.

"Every time I bring him back he gets a pole.

"The best way to slow a run rate down is to take wickets and that's what we were able to do in the middle."

The 45-run victory, following their eight-run win on Saturday put New Zealand 2-0 up in the three-match series.

"I'm really disappointed with the results," Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka said, adding his side needed to adapt more quickly to New Zealand pitches.

"They're more bouncy than at home, that's the main thing, and we have to adjust to that. At the same time they (New Zealand) were brilliant."

Sri Lanka started their run race cautiously with eight off the first two overs before Nissanka launched into New Zealand's strike bowler Matt Henry, taking 16 off his next over.

But, no sooner had Sri Lanka started to fire, Santner came into the attack into the fifth over and removed Kusal Mendis for 10 with his first delivery.

Nissanka and Perera had lifted the score to 71 by the 10th over when Duffy, who turned the first game in New Zealand's favour, again made a crucial breakthrough.

A slower delivery to Nissanka was scooped to Henry at fine leg and the Sri Lankan talisman was gone for 37.

When Perera was bowled at the start of the 16th over it was the begining of the end for Sri Lanka as their last seven wickets fell for just 14 runs.

New Zealand, who again lost the toss and were told to bat first, produced a steady performance until Hay opened up with three overs remaining.

In the final 18 deliveries New Zealand scored 43 runs, 35 of them coming from Hay as he atoned for his first-ball duck in game one.

After New Zealand lost Rachin Ravindra for just one early, Tim Robinson and Mark Chapman put on 69 for the second wicket.

But in the 10th over, after belting the first ball from Wanindu Hasaranga over the midwicket fence, Robinson misread the next delivery and was bowled for 41.

Another "wrong 'un" from Hasaranga undid Chapman, who was stumped for 42 off 29 deliveries.

Hasaranga returned the best figures for Sri Lanka with 2-28.

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NEW ZEALAND: Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Hay, Mitchell Santner (capt), Matt Henry, Zakary Foulkes, Jacob Duffy.

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara.

A late bowling fightback sparked by Jacob Duffy produced a remarkable eight-run victory for New Zealand against Sri Lanka at Mount Maunganui on Saturday.

Sri Lanka, with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis in sparkling form, were cruising towards the 173-run target when they reached 95 without loss at the halfway stage.

But in the 14th over, with Sri Lanka 121-0, Duffy changed the game with three wickets in four balls, all caught behind by Mitchell Hay, beginning with the dismissal of Mendis for 46 off 36 deliveries.

Nissanka went on to make 90 off 60, which included seven fours and three sixes for his highest Twenty20 score, while no other Sri Lankan reached double figures.

"We should have done better," was the succinct summary from Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka who was out for three and also dropped a catch.

"Pathum and Kusal batted well, the rest including me should take responsibility for this loss."

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said Duffy changed the game with his 3-21 after the home side reached 172-8 in their 20 overs with the innings propped up by a century stand by Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell.

The pair came together in the 10th over with New Zealand struggling at 65-5 and put on 105 before both were dismissed in the final over.

Mitchell was stumped for 62 off 42 deliveries while Bracewell was caught behind for 59 off 33.

"It was a massive partnership for us, the way they went about it, they soaked it up for a bit then put the pressure back on to put up a pretty good score," Santner said.

Binura Fernando, who removed both New Zealand openers in his second over, finished with 2-22.

Tim Robinson was caught and bowled for 11 when he drove a short-pitched delivery straight back to the bowler.

Three balls later Rachin Ravindra, on eight, nicked an outswinger and was caught behind.

Mark Chapman, dropped on four, reached 15 before he was caught on the boundary by Kamindu Mendis off the bowling of Matheesha Pathirana.

Glenn Phillips had made eight off nine deliveries when he was trapped in front and Mitchell Hay went first ball when he played and missed at a delivery drifting into the pads.

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NEW ZEALAND: Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Hay, Mitchell Santner (capt), Matt Henry, Zakary Foulkes, Jacob Duffy.

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara.

Novice New Zealander quick William O'Rourke rattled Sri Lanka with a five wicket haul with the hosts ending their first innings on 305 on the second morning of the first test on Thursday.

Sri Lanka belatedly resumed from 302-7 overnight in Galle after a rain delay but conceded all three remaining wickets for just three runs.

O'Rourke (5-55) managed consistent speeds above 145 kilometres (90 miles) per hour to carve through the Sri Lankan top order on day one before sending back the final two batsmen, Ramesh Mendis and Asitha Fernando.

It was his second five-wicket haul in just three matches after his 9-93 against South Africa at home in February, the best match figure for a debutant Kiwi bowler.

A groin injury had ruled O'Rourke out of the following series against Australia and his selection ahead of the more experienced Matt Henry had been a surprise.

A back to the wall century by Kamindu Mendis (114), his fourth from seven test appearances, rescued Sri Lanka from a worrisome 178-5 on day one.

Rain delayed play for nearly an hour in the morning and a fresh downpour halted the match again soon after the innings change, with openers Tom Latham (1) and Devon Conway (4) at the crease.

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SRI LANKA: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis (wkt), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando.

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(wkt), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee(capt), Ajaz Patel, William O'Rourke.

New Zealand included promising seamers Will O'Rourke and Ben Sears on Monday in their test squad to face Afghanistan and Sri Lanka as the Black Caps look to bounce back from their Twenty20 World Cup debacle.

New Zealand play Afghanistan next month in a one-off test in Noida, India, before facing Sri Lanka away in a two-test series in late September.

It will be the Black Caps' first cricket since crashing out of the T20 World Cup in the group stages last June following a shock defeat to Afghanistan.

O'Rourke and Sears are set to play their first overseas tests. O'Rourke, 23, took nine wickets for 93 on his debut against South Africa in February. Sears, 26, debuted in March with five wickets in a defeat to Australia.

"It's always great when young guys force their way into squads through performance," said New Zealand head coach Gary Stead.

"I know Will and Ben are really looking forward to the challenges of test cricket in the sub-continent," he said in a statement.

Allrounder Michael Bracewell returns to the test squad for the first time since injuring his Achilles tendon, then breaking a finger. He played one-day internationals in Pakistan last April and was in the T20 World Cup squad.

"Michael's had to show plenty of resilience to rehabilitate his injuries and force his way back into the Black Caps across all three formats," Stead said.

World-class batsman Kane Williamson has also been included in an experienced top order alongside veteran openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham.

Stead has opted for five spin options in Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Bracewell and Glenn Phillips.

The three September tests begin a busy four-month period for New Zealand, who play three games against India in October and November before hosting three games with England in December.

NEW ZEALAND TEST SQUAD:

Tim Southee (captain), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young