New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Live Score, 3rd ODI (New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team): Hello and welcome to live coverage of the third and final ODI of the ongoing three-match series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Today’s match is taking place at Eden Park in Auckland.
Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka has won the toss and opted to bat first.
After winning the first two ODIs by 9 wickets and 113 runs, respectively, the Kiwis would like to come up with a big show in the final match of the series as well and whitewash the Sri Lankan team in front of home fans.
On the other hand, Charith Asalanka’s men will be eager to finish the series on a positive note.
Playing XIs
New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (WK), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando
LIVE FEED
2.6 – Attacks the stumps on a good length, Avishka Fernando leans on the ball and blocks it out to the off side.
Batsman_1 : Avishka Fernando 3(11)
Batsman_2 : Pathum Nissanka 6(7)
Bowler : Matt Henry 0/7(2)
Over : 3
Run : 1
Wicket : 0
Score : 10/0
2.5 – Length, on the stumps, clipped away to mid-wicket.
2.4 – A RIPPER! Angles it on the off-stump line does Henry, it lands and seams away from the batter. Avishka Fernando is tempted to block but it zips past the outside edge, and passes just above the off-pole.
2.3 – Back of a length, nipping away from outside off, left alone by Avishka.
2.2 – Fuller and on the stumps, Nissanka drives it on the up between mid on and mid off for a single.
2.1 – Full and at 133.8 kph, on off, Pathum Nissanka gets a good stride out to drive to the off side, but inside edges it to the mid-wicket region.
1.6 – Hard length, just outside off, Fernando gets right behind it and guides it to backward point with soft hands.
Batsman_1 : Avishka Fernando 3(7)
Batsman_2 : Pathum Nissanka 5(5)
Bowler : William O’Rourke 0/3(1)
Over : 2
Run : 3
Wicket : 0
Score : 9/0
1.5 – Full and just around off, Avishka Fernando strides ahead and drives it through cover-point. Doesn’t quite time it well and it slows down before the ropes and is chased by the fielder from the inner ring. Two runs taken.
1.4 – Short of a good length, with that spongy bounce, outside off, Fernando offers no shot at it.
1.3 – Shapes in a touch, around off on a fullish length, Avishka Fernando gets forward and drive it off the inside half of the bat to mid on.
1.2 – Fuller and outside off, Avishka Fernando leaves this harmless delivery.
1.1 – Straighter around off, on a good length, Avishka Fernando strides across and blocks it right under his bat.
1.1 – WIDE! Starts off with a false delivery! Sprays it down leg, it further keeps nipping away down leg and the keeper collects it to his left.
All in readiness for the action to commence at Eden Park, Auckland. Bright and sunny conditions, perfectly suited for the cricket to progress greet the two umpires and the players. It is also quite breezy out there, which might help the seamers to move the ball. Sri Lanka players take their fielding positions. Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nissanka are the two openers for Sri Lanka. Matt Henry has the new ball for New Zealand to kick off the proceedings. Off we go…
William O’Rourke will bowl from the other end.
0.6 – BEATEN! A snorter of a delivery to end the first over! A decent one for both sides. Touch fuller and outside off, nipping away, Pathum Nissanka gets ahead on the front foot to defend, but the ball zips past the outside edge. 6 from the opening over then.
Batsman_1 : Pathum Nissanka 5(5)
Batsman_2 : Avishka Fernando 1(1)
Bowler : Matt Henry 0/6(1)
Over : 1
Run : 6
Wicket : 0
Score : 6/0
0.5 – Back of a length, just outside off, Avishka Fernando plays it late and opens the bat face to guide it behind backward point for a single. Gets off the mark!
0.4 – Outside off, on a hard length, Pathum Nissanka waits for it and guides it away to deep third for a single.
0.3 – BEATEN! Shapes away from the right-hander, on a fullish length, outside off, Pathum Nissanka goes for a front foot defence and gets beaten on the outside edge as he plays inside the line.
0.1 – FOUR! Sri Lanka are up and running! A little bit of width, just outside off, on a fuller length, nipping away a shy bit as well. Pathum Nissanka prods forward, throws his hands at it and the ball flies over the gully region for a boundary.
0.2 – Nice and full, straighter and on off, Pathum Nissanka leans on the ball and blocks it forward.
All in readiness for the action to commence at Eden Park, Auckland. Bright and sunny conditions, perfectly suited for the cricket to progress greet the two umpires and the players. It is also quite breezy out there, which might help the seamers to move the ball. Sri Lanka players take their fielding positions. Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nissanka are the two openers for Sri Lanka. William O’Rourke has the new ball for New Zealand to kick off the proceedings. Off we go…
All in readiness for the action to commence at Eden Park, Auckland. Bright and sunny conditions, perfectly suited for the cricket to progress greet the two umpires and the players. It is also quite breezy out there, which might help the seamers to move the ball. Sri Lanka players take their fielding positions. Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nissanka are the two openers for Sri Lanka.
TOSS UPDATE – The flip of the coin lands in the favor of Sri Lanka and Charith Asalanka elects to BAT first.
This final ODI carries significant weight beyond its immediate context. Sri Lanka desperately needs to build momentum heading into the upcoming Champions Trophy, while New Zealand could use this opportunity to test their bench strength and fine-tune their squad composition. Far from being a dead rubber, this contest holds real importance for both teams’ preparations for the major tournament ahead in February. We’ll be back shortly with updates on team selections and the all-important toss.
Sri Lanka’s batting struggles have been the defining story of this series, failing to cross 200 in the opener before being dismissed for a mere 142 in the following game. The repeated collapse of their top order, with seasoned performers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis unable to make meaningful contributions, has left the team in disarray. Every time the openers have faltered, Sri Lanka has found themselves playing catch-up cricket, unable to build any meaningful momentum in their innings. Only young Kamindu Mendis has stood out as a lone warrior with the bat. Though Maheesh Theekshana claimed a memorable hat-trick, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack has leaked runs, particularly their pace department. Heading into this final encounter, the visitors will be eager to put together a complete performance and end the series on a positive note.
New Zealand’s batting prowess has been evident throughout the series, with Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman stepping up in the rain-shortened 37-over contest. While the middle order has shown promise, they’ll be looking to convert promising starts into substantial scores to further strengthen the team’s batting depth. The bowling department has been particularly impressive, with Matt Henry maintaining his excellent form and Jacob Duffy emerging as an exciting pace prospect. The pace trio, including William O’Rourke, has worked in perfect harmony to consistently trouble the Sri Lankan batters.
It is time for the final chapter in this intriguing series to unfold. On that note, we welcome you all from the Eden Park, Auckland, for what promises to be a captivating conclusion to this white-ball series. While New Zealand have already demonstrated their dominance with an unassailable 2-0 lead, they’ll be hunting for a clean sweep to cap off their impressive campaign. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, though facing the prospect of a whitewash, will be determined to salvage pride with a victory in this final encounter.
Sri Lanka (Unchanged Playing XI) – Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando.
The captain of New Zealand, Mitchell Santner says it looks like a pretty good wicket. Also adds that the shape of this venue is a bit different and the straight boundaries are a bit short and that the teams coming here always look to exploit that. Says there should be good bounce and they would like to utilize the conditions. Informs Jacob Duffy misses out and Michael Bracewell comes in for him.
The captain of Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka says the surface looks good and they are hoping to get runs on the board. Mentions that the drop-in pitches can be a bit more bouncier as compared to the other tracks. Adds they want to deliver in this game and they also had a detailed discussion regarding the strategies for this game. Informs they are going unchanged.
New Zealand (Playing XI) – Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (WK), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell (In for Jacob Duffy), Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke.
Sri Lanka’s white-ball tour of New Zealand is nearing its conclusion and to finish things off, it is time for the 3rd and final ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Eden Park in Auckland. Hosts, New Zealand have already sealed the series and will have their eyes on a clean sweep whereas Sri Lanka will look to end on a high and with a crucial win before heading back home. Last time around in Hamilton it was a rain-marred contest that the Kiwis won quite easily batting first to go along with a successful run chase in the first game. In both games we have seen the Lankan batting line-up simply crumble under pressure and in the last game as well, it was just Kamindu Mendis who showed proper fight. Their bowling has been quite tidy and Maheesh Theekshana even picked up a hat-trick last time around but they need to step things up in the batting order. On the other hand, hosts New Zealand have enjoyed a couple of good overall performances as their bowling attack has come up with the goods in both matches and even the batting has clicked to an extent. Rachin Ravindra will once again be looking to make his mark and we might just see a change or two in the Kiwis’ line-up given the series is already sealed. Will Sri Lanka be able to go back home on a positive note? Or will New Zealand brush them aside once again? We shall find out in due time.
