New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, SL in NZ, 3 ODIs, 2025 Full score card

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Theekshana wraps it up in style and a bittersweet end for Sri Lanka in this white-ball tour! Maheesh Theekshana stays around the stumps and darts it in on a fuller length, almost yorks and cramps the batter for room. Mark Chapman though sits down and looks to sweep it across. The ball lands and skids through quickly and goes off the toe-end of the bat and disturbs the furniture in a flash. SRI LANKA WIN BY 140 RUNS!

FOUR! Into the 80s now is Chapman! Drags the length down does Maheesh Theekshana, on middle, Mark Chapman rocks back and pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary.

Oh, this one stays a tad bit low. Flatter and quicker outside off, Mark Chapman squats a bit to slog it away but misses to connect as the ball passes under his bat.

A good shot but Chapman denies a single there. Surely, he will like to play most of the balls now. Straight and flat around off, slashed away to deep cover.

Short again to the tall right-hander, on middle, William O'Rourke dodges this one as well.

WIDE! Dug in short and going down leg, William O'Rourke ducks under it. Wide called.

Fired in fuller and at the pads, Mark Chapman clips it past square leg for an easy single.

Darts in a yorker, on middle, William O'Rourke clips it wide of square leg for a single.

Too full and at the stumps. O'Rourke digs it out to short mid-wicket.

William O'Rourke is the last man in for New Zealand. Quite a weird turn of events here as O'Rourke walks out with two left-handed gloves. He realizes it sooner and walks back to the dugout and is handed over the right-hand glove. He walks in to the crease now.

OUT! TIMBER! Slower one from Eshan Malinga, into the stumps, Matt Henry had no answer to it as he fails to pick this one up. Swings early and the ball crashes into the stumps.

On a length around middle and off, Mark Chapman tucks this towards mid on and runs one.

Too full on off, Mark Chapman thumps this to long off and takes the single this time. Mark Chapman protects Henry from Maheesh Theekshana and keeps strike at the start of the next over.

Darted on the pads, Mark Chapman tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Short and wide outside off, Mark Chapman moves away and punches this towards Wanindu Hasaranga at extra cover.

WIDE! Full and wide outside off, Mark Chapman leaves it. Wided.

Short of a length on off, Mark Chapman rocks back and drills this to long on but turns down the single on offer.

Tossed up on off, Mark Chapman defends this off his front foot.

Short of a length around middle and leg, Mark Chapman tucks this towards short fine for no run.

Yorker on leg, Matt Henry drills this to mid on for no run.

On a length around off, Matt Henry punches this through cover for a couple. Matt Henry doesn't get the timing right on it but gets enough to pierce the infield.

FOUR! A boundary following the biggie. Full and wide outside off, Matt Henry slices this through the backward point region for a boundary more.

SIX! Matt Henry opens up his account with a six behind the stumps. Short-pitched on off, Matt Henry leans back and ramps this over the keeper for a biggie towards the sight screen but behind the stumps.

Too full on the pads, Matt Henry goes for the flick but misses. The ball deflects off the pads on off for no run.

DRINKS! Well, call it a commentator's curse or something but Sri Lanka has just managed to break this 51-run stand for the eighth wicket. Just when it was getting a bit on the nerves of the Lankans, Eshan Malinga struck gold. All Sri Lanka need is two wickets now and the writing is pretty much on the wall. It is all about when and how they get rid of Mark Chapman. This southpaw has shown immense maturity and the way he has paced his inning, batting with a tailender shows he is in for a long rope. Can Chapman reach to his hundred? Or can the Lankans wrap it up quickly? Or is there still some resilience left in the Kiwi tail. Let's find out. Matt Henry can bat as well. He is in at number 10 for New Zealand.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Eshan Malinga breaks a partnership that was growing in confidence. A bowling change works like a wonder for the tourists. Eshan bowls it on a good length and keeps the line of attack around off, Nathan Smith pokes at it as the ball zips through and nips away a shy bit. He gets an outside edge and the ball is pouched by Kusal Mendis safely behind the wickets. New Zealand are 8 wickets down now.

Back of a length on off, Mark Chapman looks to tuck this towards leg but gets it off the bat and into the pads with the ball rolling towards a charging in Kamindu Mendis from backward point for no run.

On a length around off, Nathan Smith dabs this into the surface and bouncing over backward point for one.

On a length around middle and off, Nathan Smith drives this to mid on for no run.

Back of a length around off, Nathan Smith goes for the punch off his back foot. The ball hits high on the sticker of his bat and lands inches short of mid off.

Good length wide of off, Nathan Smith goes for a late cut but gets beaten.

Good length around middle and leg, Mark Chapman flat bats this to mid on and runs one. Brings up the 50-run partnership between these two.

This 8th wicket stand has now matured to 49 runs, with Chapman doing all the heavy-lifting. Nathan Smith has provided a good hand from the other end as well. Also, this match draws a fascinating similarity to the 2022-23 New Zealand-India ODI. In that clash, India had set 349, and New Zealand found themselves at 131/6 while chasing with their top order blown away, much like today's 77/7 collapse. Back then, Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner mounted a remarkable 162-run stand, nearly clinching an improbable win before falling short by 12 runs. The match was gone, but the Kiwis showed tremendous fighting spirit and shrunk down the deficit. Bracewell made a striking 140 off just 78 balls while Santner partnered him well for 57. Today's batting collapse echoes that match, though without the dramatic recovery partnership. Although, there's a long way to go for New Zealand here, as they still need to climb a mountain. But as it is being mentioned repeatedly by the on-air commentators, it is still a good batting track and Sri Lanka have ceded their momentum in this series as we have seen. But as of now, Sri Lanka is still in the driver's seat with just three good balls away from a win.

Short-pitched, into the batter. Nathan Smith ducks down.

Wide yorker on off, Nathan Smith drills this towards mid off for no run.

Full and wide down the leg, Nathan Smith misses the flick but the ball brushes his pads onto the keeper for no run.

On a length around the pads, Mark Chapman flicks this through mid on for one.

WIDE! Bumper, wide down the leg. Wided.

A quick single and New Zealand would do a lot better without such moments. Good length on the pads, Nathan Smith clips this off his bat onto the pads and to short leg. Mark Chapman had to dive with the fielder throwing it towards his end, the fielder misses and Chapman stays.

Good length on middle and leg, Mark Chapman pulls this flat and towards sweeper on leg for one.

FOUR! OH HELLO! Signs of aggression from Nathan Smith. Short-pitched, around middle and leg, Nathan Smith pulls this but keeps it down and wide of the mid-wicket fielder as the ball races away to the fence for four.

Good length on off, Mark Chapman drives this towards mid off and runs one.

Off-cutter on off, Nathan Smith goes for the punch towards off but gets an inside edge just past the leg-stump towards backward square for one.

Good length on off, Nathan Smith blocks it out on off.

Good length angling away from the left-hander. Mark Chapman punches this towards sweeper cover for one.

Good length on middle and off, Mark Chapman jams this back to the bowler.

Good length on middle and leg, Mark Chapman thumps this into the surface and towards mid on for a quick single. Mark keeps the strike at start of the 24th.

Good length around off, Nathan Smith dabs this with soft hands toward third man region for a single.

Back of a length around off, Nathan Smith punches this on off but finds the fielder.

Good length around off, Mark Chapman punches this through cover for one.

Good length on off, Mark Chapman goes for the pull but gets it off the bottom of his bat towards mid on for no run.

Back of a length into the batter, Mark Chapman flat bats this through mid-wicket and runs a couple.

Asitha Fernando is back on. He is 5-0-17-3 so far and repalces Wanindu Hasaranga.

Flatter and on the pads, Nathan Smith doesn't offer any stroke at it and sees the ball deflect off his pads towards fine leg.

Too full on the pads, Nathan Smith flicks this towards deep backward square and comes back for two.

Carrom-ball on the pads, Nathan Smith does not swing and the ball thumps into his pads towards short leg.

Fuller on off, Mark Chapman drives this past the bowler for one.

Fuller on the pads, Nathan Smith drills this to long on for one.

Short and on off, Mark Chapman cuts this through point for one.

Fuller on middle and leg, Mark Chapman tucks this to long on for a single to close the over.

Tossed up on the pads, Mark Chapman flicks this through mid on and runs two.

Too full on the pads, Nathan Smith rolls this to long on for one.

Tossed up on leg, Nathan Smith deefnds this out.

Quicker and flatter around off, Mark Chapman smashes this to wide long off for one.

FOUR! Into his 60s now is Chapman! Impeccable innings from the talented southpaw this! Short of a length around off, Mark Chapman clears his front leg and hammers this straight past the bowler for a boundary down the ground.

A single to retain the strike! Drags it short and on the top of middle, Mark Chapman backs away and punches it through covers for an easy single. New Zealand need 195 more runs to win from 180 remaining balls, with just 3 wickets in hand.

An off-break now, full and on middle, Nathan Smith turns it to deep square leg for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle and drifting into the leg stump, Mark Chapman gets the front foot out of the way and drills it over mid on for a single.

Around the stumps, fuller and on middle, Chapman lunges ahead and keeps it out.

At the stumps, drifting in, full in length, Nathan Smith drives it off the inside half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a single.

BEATEN! A deceptive carrom-ball, full and spinning outside off, Nathan Smith gets beaten on the outside edge trying to block it in front.

Tossed up and pushed through, full and on the middle, Chapman leans ahead and defends it back to the bowler.

A googly, slanting across off on a length, Chapman gets back and across and punches it to cover.

Slow and full around off, turning away, Nathan Smith stands tall and punches it down to long off for a single.

WIDE! Sprayed down leg on a length. Smith shoulders arms. Wide called!

Slightly short again, on the stumps, Mark Chapman works it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! FIFTY FOR MARK CHAPMAN! The third of his ODI career! An outstanding inning from him under extreme pressure and has held onto one end! Dished out short and on off, Mark Chapman gets on the back foot and pulls it aerially and dumps it behind deep mid-wicket for a six. Chapman has displayed immaculate maturity and composure and has kept things pretty simple on this batting friendly deck.

FOUR! Chapman greets Hasaranga with a cracking boundary! Wanindu Hasaranga lands it on a good length, quick and flat around off, Mark Chapman is quick on his feet to rock back and flat-bats it down the ground for a boundary.

Slows it up on a fuller length, drifting on the pads. Nathan Smith leans to work it across to the leg side, but plays all over it. Wears on the front pad.

A carrom-ball, on the fuller length and at the leg stump, Nathan Smith leans on and pushes it to mid on.

Back of a length, on top of middle, Smith gets across and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Dishes out an off-break, on off stump. Smith tucks it to deep backward square leg for a brace.

Length-delivery outside off. Lands and turns away sharply. Smith pushes at it with hard hands, gets an outside edge to short third. Looks for a single but Chapman sends him back. Smith turnaround and the the fielder throws at the batter's end. Kusal ricochets the ball onto the pegs. The TV umpire is called in to check for a run out but Smith is well inside the crease. NOT OUT!

Nathan Smith walks out next to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! What a sharp catch by Kusal Mendis behind the pegs! New Zealand 7 men down now! Theekshana bowls it from around the stumps and dishes out a flatter one, just around off. It lands right on the seam and grips and turns sharply away from the batter, cutting the southpaw into half as it leaves him. Mitchell Santner is totally caught off guard with his bat hanging away from the body. A thick outside edge is found and Kusal Mendis shows sharp awareness as he grabs it alertly behind the stumps. Santner departs on 2 (15) and Sri Lanka now need just 3 wickets to win.

FIVE WIDES! That beats everyone! A misfire from Theekshana down leg, full in length, Santner misses to clip it away and the ball keeps drifting away and beats the keeper as well. Races away to the deep fine fence.

At 132.4 kph, on a hard length and on the pads, Mitchell Santner misses to nudge it across and the ball rolls near the strip, deflecting off the thigh pad. The batters cross over and get a leg bye.

Aims the pegs does Chamindu Wickramasinghe. Hard length, on off, Santner prods forward and defends it out solidly.

On a hard length at the pads, Chapman tucks it across to deep square leg for an easy single.

A pearler from Chamindu this time! This one lands on a good length, and swings away from the batter. Mark Chapman is totally undone with the nip and bounce as the ball zips past the outside edge, squaring him up.

Length ball angling across and outside off. Chapman goes for the heave across the line but gets an inside edge to short fine.

FOUR! Chamindu Wickramasinghe gets greeted with a superb boundary! Chapman is batting on a completely different surface here! Pitched right up, under the bat, Chapman taps his front foot out and presents full face of the blade. Connects the middle and drills it straight down the ground for a boundary. Chapman moves into his 40s now.

Would have been a maiden if that first ball wasn't a Wide! A sensational over from Maheesh Theekshana! Pushed through and floated up, flatter and on middle, Santner blocks right in front.

Fired in fuller and at 99.6 kph, on middle, Santner gets forward and pushes it firmly to the bowler.

Very quick and full on off, tapped away to the off side.

Darts in a yorker on the legs, Santner just about jams his bat down in time and inside edges it to the right of the keeper.

Nice and full, around off, blocked off the front foot.

Fuller length around leg stump. Santner lunges forward and looks to block but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the front pad.

WIDE! Sprays it down leg on a fuller length, Santner misses to clip it away. Kusal Mendis collects it and flashes off the bails in a blink. The TV umpire is called in to check for a stumping on an appeal from the keeper, and deems that Santner's feet was inside the popping crease while the bails were dislodged. NOT OUT!

Keeps the length short again, over the top of the stumps, Mitchell Santner taps it across and in front of mid on, and sneaks a quick single to end the over.

Hard length again, around off, Santner gets on the back foot and punches it onto the surface.

Length ball, outside off, punched away to mid off.

Good length delivery, on the leg stump, Chapman clips it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Right out of the textbook! Fuller in length, around off, Mark Chapman takes a good stride ahead and crisply drives it past the left of covers for a cracking four.

FOUR! Oh, such a well-timed stroke! Outside off on a good length, Mark Chapman gets the width and cuts it comfortably and at ease, and past backward point for a boundary.

Short once again, on the stumps, Mitchell Santner gets on the back foot and knocks it solidly back to the bowler. New Zealand need 236 more runs to win in 216 balls remaining. Sri Lanka just 4 good deliveries away from a win.

Short and on the top of middle, Mitchell Santner gets right behind the line and blocks it underneath the bat.

At the pads on a hard length, at 139.4 kph, Mark Chapman hops across and glances off the hips to deep fine for a single.

Pitched up, full and angling into the pads, Santner leans on and clips it to deep square leg for a single to get off the mark.

Length ball, outside the off stump, Chapman cuts it to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Chapman at the other end keeps impressing! Full and on off, Mark Chapman takes a decent stride ahead and plays with a good elbow extension. Meets the ball from the middle of the bat and drives it straight down the ground for a cracking boundary.

Time for a drinks break. Just what runs on board can do to a side. The Lankans were nowhere in the contest in the first two ODI's but some run on board today and they are running riots. The Kiwi skipper, Mitchell Santner walks out next to bat.

OUT! HIGH UP IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! New Zealand fall from from disarray to disaster as Sri Lanka get their sixth wicket! A very well judged catch, just near the boundary fence and that sums up how brilliant the Sri Lankans have been in the fielding department in this game! Coming to the delivery, Janith Liyanage bustles from over the stumps and lands this on a fractionally fuller length, just around off. Michael Bracewell clears his front leg and swings hard at it. He tries to hit it a bit too hard and loses his shape in the process. Hence mistimes it aerially. It goes miles up in the air and hangs up for an eternity. The ball sails and descends towards the deep mid-wicket region where Kamindu Mendis settles under it. Locks his eyes on the ball and takes a sharp reverse cup catch at his chest height. Bracewell goes for 13 (20) and New Zealand are 48/6.

Pitched across off on a shortish length, Michael Bracewell cuts it off the cue half of the bat to backward point.

Hurls it full and in the channel of off, Michael Bracewell drives this full ball straight to mid off.

Angling on top of off, on a hard length, Mark Chapman drags it across and wide of mid-wicket for a quick single.

A gentle-paced delivery, outside off, on a length, Bracewell gets on the back foot and guides it to deep third for a single.

Length, outside off, Mark Chapman drives it on the up and past cover for a single.

FOUR! Classy from Bracewell! A bit wayward from Eshan this time as he bowls it right on the pads, on a fuller length with a bit of tail back into the batter. Michael Bracewell leans on the ball and clips it aerially. Gets it behind mid-wicket and it races away to the fence for a boundary. Bracewell moves into the double figures.

Nagging length, just outside off, Bracewell stabs it to the off side.

Length, across off, blocked off the back foot.

IN THE AIR...but lands safe in the deep! Pitched up and on the stumps, Michael Bracewell prods forward and mistimes it in the air with a straight bat. The ball spoons up in the air and lands behind the cover region. The batters scamper back for the second run.

Oh, that took off the surface! Short and on the leg stump line. It lands and bounces more, Michael Bracewell swivels for a pull shot but it zips past his body and the keeper collects it on his face level.

Almost chopped on again! Slanting across off on a length, Mark Chapman looks to punch it to the off side but inside edges it and the ball dribbles over the leg stump and goes to deep fine. A single taken.

Closer to the off stump on a hard length, Michael Bracewell punches it off the inside half of the bat to the off side. Good start for the right-arm medium Liyanage. Just three runs from this one.

Back of a length, slightly outside off, Mark Chapman stays tall and slashes it with almost a horizontal bat and gets it through covers for a single.

A gentle away movement on a fuller length, outside off, Mark Chapman strides across and times the ball to perfection, but can't find the gap. Hits it hard and straight to the cover fielder.

Length ball again, hurled outside off, Mark Chapman gets across and cuts it straight to point.

Across off again, on a good length, Mark Chapman slashes hard and almost chops it on. Inside edges onto the boot and the ball rolls beside the sticks.

Hurls it on a gentle pace, across off on a length, Chapman covers the stumps and punches it through cover-point for a couple of runs.

POWERPLAY 2! A maximum of four fielders are permitted to be outside the 30-yard circle in the phase of 11-40 overs.

Good length around off, Michael Bracewell leaves this alone.

Good length on off, Mark Chapman punches this into the surface and through cover for one. Charith Asalanka at cover, gets a good piece of hand at it and takes the sting out of this stroke.

On a length wide of off, Mark Chapman dabs this gently towards off.

Bumper, around leg, Mark Chapman ducks down.

Good length on the pads, Mark Chapman tucks this towards leg for no run.

Good length on off, Maheesh Theekshana punches this to cover for no run.

WIDE! Hurls it down leg on a fuller length, Chapman misses to flick it across and the keeper collects it behind the pegs. The Lankans go upstairs for a caught behind appeal down the leg but the UltraEdge shows no spike as the ball passes the bat. Sri Lanka loses a review and the umpire signals this wide as well.  A waste of a review by Sri Lanka.

WIDE! On a length wide down the leg, Mark Chapman misses. Wided.

Back of a length on leg, Michael Bracewell defends this off his back foot.

SIX! First poor delivery from Asitha Fernando and he has been taken to the cleaners by Michael Bracewell. Short-pitched, around leg, at a gentle pace. Michael Bracewell pulls this right off the middle of his bat and the ball sails over the fence towards deep mid-wicket for six.

Inswing yorker, too full and in the line of stumps. Michael Bracewell does well to plant his front foot away from the line of it and push this towards mid on for no run.

Good length on middle and leg, Michael Bracewell flicks this towards backward square leg for no run.

Good length on the pads, Mark Chapman tucks this towards deep square for one.

Asitha continues to spit some venom. Bumper, around off. Mark Chapman leaves this one.

WIDE! Short and wide down the leg. Wided.

This has been a top-drawer bowling display from the Lankan quicks. The breakthrough was brought by Theekshana though, but the pacers, especially Asitha Fernando, have effectively dented the New Zealand top and the middle order within the Powerplay. A complete contrast from the first innings, where Sri Lanka went unscathed and notched up 66 runs. This was the phase where Pathum Nissanka was going all guns blazing taking on the Kiwi pacers to the effect.

Pitched-up on off, Michael Bracewell drives this to mid off for no run.

WIDE! On a length, down the leg. Michael Bracewell misses the flick. Wide called.

On a length around the pads, Michael Bracewell flicks this one but finds the fielder.

Good length on off, Michael Bracewell defends this one.

On a length around off, Michael Bracewell leaves it.

Good length on off, Mark Chapman pushes this to mid off and takes one.

Good length around off, Mark Chapman jams this on off for no run.

Double delight in this over for Asitha Fernando as he picks up two and gives just one as wide in this one.

WIDE! On a length wide down the leg, Michael Bracewell misses the flick. Wided.

Michael Bracewell is in at number 7.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Asitha strikes a double whammy! Half of the Kiwi side is in the sheds now. Another sharp catch in the cordon this time and Glenn Phillips has to walk back now. On a length, angling in and nipping away from the batter. Glenn Phillips with no footwork goes for the off-drive, gets an outside edge and Kamindu Mendis at second slip, dives to his left and holds onto this. The catching from the Lankans have been top-notch. Asitha Fernando claims his third wicket and is pumped up to the bits. First Latham and now Phillips falls for a duck! New Zealand further slip down to 21/5, needing more 170 runs to win, with just 5 wickets in hand.

Good length on off, Glenn Phillips defends this off his front foot.

On a length wide of off, Glenn Phillips leaves this one.

Glenn Phillips is the new batter in at number 6.

OUT! TAKEN! AND ANOTHER BLINDER TO DISMISS ANOTHER KIWI BATTER! Back of a length angling away from the left-handed Latham. It lands and bounces a bit more getting heavy on the left-hander. Tom hops up on his toes and punches this, but fails to keep it down along the ground. Ends up hitting flat and parallel to the left of Wanindu Hasaranga at backward point expecting some runs. Wanindu Hasaranga has other ideas and he dives to his left at full stretch, gets low, and holds onto this in his non-dominating hand. The Kiwis should be advised not to hit anything near the Lankan Lions that are roaring right now. New Zealand are 21/4 and are in all sorts of misery now.

Full and wide outside off, Tom Latham goes for the drive but misses.

Good length on the pads, Mark Chapman looks to nudge this around leg but gets thumped on his pads and the ball rolls over to mid-wicket for no run.

LEG BYE! On a length down the leg, Tom Latham misses the flick and the ball clips his pads towards fine leg for one. Leg bye signaled.

Good length on off, Tom Latham dabs this towards off.

Tom Latham is the new batter in with New Zealand in a spot of trouble.

OUT! OH DEAR ME! What are we witnessing in the field from Sri Lanka? The Kiwis are rattled right at the top as Daryl Mitchell too departs cheaply. On a length wide of off, Daryl Mitchell walks down the track and punches this. Hits this uppish and wide to the substitute fielder, Nuwanidu Fernando, at point. Nuwanidu Fernando dives full stretch to his left and takes it cleanly. New Zealand is further dented to 20/3, needing another 271 runs to win, with 7 wickets in hand.

On a length around off, Daryl Mitchell punches this towards cover-point for a dot.

Good length on middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell tucks this towards leg for no run.

Eshan Malinga is into the attack now, replacing Maheesh Theekshana.

On a length, on off. Mark Chapman blocks it out on off.

This has been an on-point start for the Sri Lankans. Asitha has looked at his very best in this series while Theekshana has continued to weave his web of magic. It will be interesting to see how the Kiwi batters approach the remaining Powerplay overs.

WIDE! On a length wide outside off, Mark Chapman leaves it. Wided. A bit hard on the bowler it seemed to the naked eye.

Good length on middle and off, Mark Chapman plays the on-drive but finds Asitha Fernando on his follow-through. Too good a stroke for nothing.

Back of a length on middle and leg, Mark Chapman tucks this towards leg for another dot.

Good length on leg, Mark Chapman blocks it out on leg again.

On a length around middle and leg, Mark Chapman pushes this towards mid on for no run.

FOUR! CARVED AWAY! Good length, angling away from the batter, Mark Chapman steps across and cuts this on the bounce through point for four runs. Brilliant hand-eye coordination on display from Mark.

Tossed up on off, Maheesh Theekshana drills this to long off for one.

Full and wide outside off, Mark Chapman defends this off his front foot.

Fuller on off, Mark Chapman brings back some sanity and blocks it out.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries from the bat of Mark Chapman and that Kiwi dressing room will breathe easy. Quicker and flatter around off, Mark Chapman rocks back and cuts this late as he pierces the gap between short third and backward point for four.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Mark Chapman gets right on top of it and smashes this through extra cover for four runs.

Too full on off, Daryl Mitchell plays the reverse sweep for one.

Good length on the pads, Maheesh Theekshana tucks this towards leg for no run.

IS IT ANOTHER PIECE OF BEAUTY FROM Asitha Fernando? Inswinging fuller one around the pads, Mark Chapman goes for the flick and misses. The bat thumps into the right shoe but the ball deflects off the front pad towards the left of Asitha Fernando on his follow-through. Asitha Fernando takes this and appeals thinking the batter had hit it. Charith Asalanka goes upstairs. The UltraEdge confirms no connection of the ball with the bat or gloves and the Ball Tracking confirms that it had pitched outside leg. Sri Lanka burn a review!

Full toss wide of off, Mark Chapman punches this on the bounce towards the Kamindu at short cover. Kamindu Mendis flies parallel to the surface and fields this one. The Lankans are absolutely pumped up.

Asitha Fernando is dealing in yorkers here. Inswinging yorker first up to Daryl Mitchell. The batter helps this towards third man region for one.

Daryl Mitchell is in at number 4.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! THROUGH HIS DEFENCE! A corker of a delivery and you won't see many better inswinging yorkers bang on target than this. Asitha charges in from over the stumps and spears in a pinpoint yorker. Gets that lateral movement as the ball tails back in after pitching with Ravindra having no answer to it at all. He brings the bat in front to block but gets a bit late and the ball beats the bat and disturbs the timber. A match-winning 79 in the previous ODI, but Rachin Ravindra goes for 1 (5) this time around, and New Zealand is dealt with a couple of early blows. 4/2 after 2.2 overs.

Good length on off, Rachin Ravindra defends this back to the bowler.

WIDE! On a length wide down the leg, Rachin Ravindra leaves it. Wided.

Fuller and flatter around off, Mark Chapman leaves this as well.

Floated wide of off, Mark Chapman leaves it.

Mark Chapman is in at number 3.

OUT! FLAT IN THE AIR AND GONE! The struggle ends for Will Young and the Lankans celebrate in unison as they get their first breakthrough. Theekshana dishes out a flatter and quicker one, around off, with the seam in an upright position. It is that conventional in-drifter tailing into the batter with some pace on it. Will Young is hurried and looks to nudge this away towards leg but gets a bit more than what he would have liked onto it. The ball chips straight into the safe hands of Avishka Fernando at short mid-wicket for a simple catch. New Zealand are struck early for 3/1.

Carrom-ball around the pads, Will Young swings early and misses. The ball deflects off his pads towards short third.

NO BALL! Maheesh Theekshana has overstepped. Short of a length, darted into the batter. Rachin Ravindra pushes this gently towards off and runs a quick one. FREE HIT up next for Young.

Floated around off, Rachin Ravindra pokes at it but gets beaten.

Surprisingly, Maheesh Theekshana gives it some air and it grips and bounces around off, Rachin Ravindra defends this towards cover-point.

For a fact, 340 is the highest successful run chase at this venue. It was executed by Australia against New Zealand back in 2007. And in this decade, in 2022, India successfully chased down 309 against New Zealand. So, it is doable if we go by the historical records. Also, an early spin is summoned by Asalanka. Maheesh Theekshana to operate from the far end.

On a length wide of off, Will Young shoulders arms it. An excellent start with the ball for Asitha Fernando and Sri Lanka.

On a length around off, Young defends this with a bit more conviction.

Good length wide of off, Will Young lets it sail back to the keeper.

EDGED AND DROPPED! On a length around off, angling into the batter this time. Will Young looks to block this out but gets an outside edge low to the left of first slip and he drops it.

On a length wide outside off, Will Young swings and gets beaten as it goes away from the batter.

WIDE! Short and wide outside off, Will Young leaves it. Wided.

Starts with a fuller one around off, Will Young drives this towards mid off for no run to begin the chase. It did shape away from the batter after pitching.

FOUR! Attempted yorker goes wrong and becomes a full toss which is smashed down the ground by Maheesh Theekshana for a boundary towards long on. Sri Lanka finishes off with 300 on the board.

Slower one pitched short and around leg, Maheesh Theekshana swings but misses.

Yorker in search of the fifth from Henry. Eshan Malinga tucks this away on leg for one.

Eshan Malinga is in at number 10.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Low full toss on middle and leg, Janith Liyanage flicks this half-heartedly and the ball travels straight at one of the finest fielders across the globe in Glenn Phillips stationed at the deep mid-wicket fence.

Bumper, around off, Maheesh Theekshana ramps this over the keeper for one.

Back of a length on off, Maheesh Theekshana looks for a run through that short third region but misses.

Who bowls the final over of the first innings? Has to be Henry, of course! And he will bowl out. He is 9-0-49-3 so far.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR JANITH! A brave knock under pressure and he will be elated to do so on foreign soil. Short-pitched, around leg, Janith Liyanage hooks this and beats short fine leg fielder for a boundary to bring up his half-century. It has been a superb tour for him so far.

Full and wide outside off, pace off. Janith Liyanage swings and misses.

Change of bat for Janith Liyanage. The reserve player from the Sri Lankan dugout rushes out with the willows. Liyanage selects a heavy one and is good to continue.

Short-pitched, on off, Maheesh Theekshana dabs this to third man for one.

FOUR! Such strokes would do for Sri Lanka and Maheesh Theekshana. Good length on off, Maheesh Theekshana plays this very late, opens the face of his bat and looks to run this down to short third but gets it really fine and this beats the keeper before racing away to the fence.

Back of a length, into the batter, Maheesh Theekshana moves away and looks to cut this but misses. Maheesh Theekshana needs to get bat on ball and bring back Janith Liyanage on strike.

Short and wide outside off, Janith Liyanage cuts this to deep point for one.

Short-pitched on off, Janith Liyanage pulls this towards deep mid-wicket for one.

On a length outside off, Maheesh Theekshana swings and gets an outside edge towards third man for one. Rachin Ravindra was in with a chance for a catch but a hint of indecision helped Maheesh Theekshana to survive a golden duck

Maheesh Theekshana, the hattrick man from the previous game, walks out to bat at number 9.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! You miss, I hit says Henry! A snorter of a delivery to get his man! Henry stays over the stumps and he executes a pin-point yorker right at the base of the off-pole, Wanindu Hasaranga, expecting a short-pitched delivery, moves away to give himself some room, and ends up exposing all the pegs. He bends low and opens the bat face but misses to squeeze it. The ball goes on to rattle the stumps as the off-pole goes for a walk. A short brisk inning from Hasaranga comes to an end.

Slower on, short-pitched, on middle and off, Janith Liyanage flat bats it to long on for one.

SIX! AWAY SHE GOES FOR SIX! On a length around the pads, Janith Liyanage slogs this and gets plenty behind it. The ball flies over the fielder on the fence towards deep mid-wicket for six.

On a length around off, Janith Liyanage pushes this towards off for no run.

Tossed up on off, Janith Liyanage pushes this through for one.

Fuller on off, Wanindu Hasaranga pushes this through cover for one.

SIX! Glenn Phillips, with an astonishing effort but he fails to complete the catch. Tossed up, slower and wide outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga reaches it and lofts this towards long off region. The ball sails way too high over Glenn Phillips but GP leaps in the air with an outstretched right hand. He attempts to pluck this out of thin air but fails to do so. The ball goes over the fence for six.

Short but closer to off, Wanindu Hasaranga moves away and cuts this towards point for no run.

Quicker and into the batter, Janith Liyanage flicks this to long on for one.

Floated wide outside off, Janith Liyanage goes for the square cut and misses.

Change? Nope. Mitchell Santner to continue and will complete his quota of ten overs. With 4 overs remaining, the 300 is pretty much on for Sri Lanka, especially with Wanindu Hasaranga out there, who has all the ability to strike a few lusty blows in the stands. Alongside him is Janith Liyanage who is well-settled as well. An interesting climax of the first innings, folks! Hold on tight!

Short and wide outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga cuts this to deep point for two.

SIX! With such short dimensions at one side all Wanindu Hasaranga needed was to get bat on ball and it flew away for six. Short-pitched around middle and off, Wanindu Hasaranga swings, gets a top edge and it sails over fine leg for six.

On a length around off, pace off this time. Wanindu Hasaranga loos for the dab towards third but misses.

Henry continues to push Wanindu Hasaranga back as he darts another short-pitched delivery, this time into the batter. Wanindu Hasaranga sways away from it.

Greets Wanindu Hasaranga with a short ball outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga ducks down.

Wanindu Hasaranga is in at number 8.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! A crucial wicket at an even more crucial juncture for New Zealand. Henry comes back into the attack and strikes straightaway. Short-pitched delivery with pace off. Chamindu Wickramasinghe is way too early in the shot and pulls this but the timing is completely off. The ball finds Nathan Smith once again in the outfield as he completes a good catch at deep mid-wicket fence. Matt Henry, with this wicket goes past Shane Bond, the former New Zealand quick in terms of most ODI wickets. He jumps to the 9th position now.

Matt Henry is back into the attack now. He is 7-0-32-1 so far and replaces William O'Rourke.

Straight, full around off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe drills it down to long off for a single. A very productive over for Sri Lanka, 11 runs from it.

SIX! Chamindu now trying to shift the gears! This is not that short from Santner, just a yard ahead of the good length, angling on middle and leg, Chamindu Wickramasinghe is quick to go on the back foot and clobbers the pull shot behind long on for a six.

Short of a good length, outside off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe hangs back and flat-bats, manages to beat the mid off fielder and gets a couple of runs.

Tap and run! Flighted one, fuller and on off, Janith Liyanage leans on and eases the drive between cover and point for a single.

Good length, just outside off, Chamindu rocks back and cuts it along the ground to deep point for one.

Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. Flat and quick, outside off on a length, Chamindu Wickramasinghe rocks back and knocks it straight back to the bowler off the toe-end.

On a good length, it kisses the surface and skids through onto the pads, Chamindu Wickramasinghe gets a bit across on the back foot and knocks it wide of mid-wicket for a quick single.

A slower one now, on top of off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe fends it off the back foot to backward point.

FOUR LEG BYES! William O'Rourke has looked a bit rusty with his lines today! On a good length, straight on the pads, Chamindu Wickramasinghe misses to tuck it across and it deflects off the thigh pad and races away to the deep fine fence.

Straight and full, on middle and further angling in. Chamindu Wickramasinghe gets right behind it and blocks it forward.

Pace off and a bumper around off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe drops his wrists as he leans back to let the ball carry to the keeper.

Fired in full and aiming at the off-pole, Chamindu Wickramasinghe clears the front foot and slaps it, but couldn't get past the cover fielder. That was hit with an absolute brute force.

Quick and wide of off, on a length, Chamindu Wickramasinghe goes deep inside the crease and cuts it to deep point for a single to end the over.

Tossed up, nice and full around off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe leans ahead and defends it straight back to the bowler.

On a good length, at the pegs, Janith Liyanage pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Flat and quick outside off, chopped toward short third.

FOUR! Finally, the deadlock has been broken! A boundary after 33 deliveries for Sri Lanka! Bracewell drags the length and bowls it on a good length, over top of middle and leg, Janith Liyanage waits for it to come at him and pulls it behind square for a boundary at deep square leg.

Short of a good length, outside off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe cuts it in front of backward point and steals a quick single.

Length-delivery, on the off stump, Chamindu Wickramasinghe pushes to cover to retain strike with a single.

Spears it on a good length, outside off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe rises with the bounce and cuts it past point. Runs the first one hard and scampers back for the second. Mark Chapman from deep cover runs to his right and dives to save two runs for his side.

Short and sliding down leg, Chamindu Wickramasinghe dodges under it. Exactly 5 overs since the last boundary was scored for Sri Lanka.

Hard length, angling over the top of off, Janith Liyanage tucks it across to widish mid-wicket for a quick single.

Aims the pegs, on a fuller length. Chamindu Wickramasinghe shuffles outside leg to give himself some room. Exposes the stumps and guides it to deep third for a single.

Back of a length, over middle, Janith Liyanage hops across and tucks it to widish square leg for a single.

Nice and full, around off, Janith Liyanage works it along the spin and along the ground to long on for a single to end the over.

Flatter and fuller, at off, Janith Liyanage charges down to the pitch and flicks it wide of mid-wicket but the fielder does well to prevent any run.

Drags the length, on off, Janith Liyanage leans back and cuts it past the cover-point gap for a couple of runs.

Nice and full, pushed through around off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe drills it down to long off for a single.

Flat and outside off, on a fullish length, Chamindu Wickramasinghe plays it late on the front foot and guides it straight to short third.

Length at the pads, Janith Liyanage hangs back and tucks it wide of square leg for a single.

Power Play 3! The fielding team will now be allowed to position 5 fielders outside the 30-yard circle until the end of this inning.

On a length around middle and leg, Janith Liyanage flicks this to fine leg for one.

That's zipped through the batter. Good length outside off, Janith Liyanage looks to cut but misses.

Short-pitched, on middle and leg, Janith Liyanage pulls this through mid-wicket and runs two again.

Back of a length around middle and leg, Janith Liyanage moves in and flicks this towards deep backward square for two.

The youngster will feel a lot better as he is off the mark now after ten deliveries. Full and wide outside off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe goes for the drive, and gets an outside edge towards deep third for one.

Pitched-up delivery on middle and leg, Janith Liyanage drills this to mid on and sets off for a quick single.

William O'Rourke to continue.

Fuller on off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe punches this off his back foot but finds cover again. Chamindu Wickramasinghe is struggling to even rotate the strike.

Pushed through on off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe pushes this to short cover for another dot.

Floated on middle and leg, Chamindu Wickramasinghe rocks back and punches this to cover for no run.

Tossed up on leg, Janith Liyanage flicks this to long on for one.

Too full, on leg, Janith Liyanage flicks this to square leg for no run.

Fuller on the pads, Janith Liyanage tucks this to short fine leg for no run.

Michael Bracewell (6-0-32-1) is back on. He replaces Mitchell Santner.

Good length, pitching outside off, and nips away from the batter. Chamindu Wickramasinghe looks to block this but gets beaten on the outside.

WIDE! On a length much wide of the off-stump. Chamindu Wickramasinghe leaves it. Wided.

Back of a length, into the batter. Chamindu Wickramasinghe defends this one.

Bumper, around leg, Chamindu Wickramasinghe ducks down.

On a length wide outside off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe goes for the drive and gets beaten. With not much of a footwork on offer from Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Kiwis would look to force him to go for the drive.

Full and wide outside off, Chamindu Wickramasinghe shoulders arms it.

Good length on middle and off, Janith Liyanage steps across and tucks this through mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up on leg, Chamindu Wickramasinghe flicks this to mid-wicket for no run.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! Nathan Smith holds onto it in the deep and Pathum Nissanka has to walk back. Tossed up, wide outside off, asking Pathum Nissanka to stretch his hammies and groin. Pathum Nissanka goes for the slog sweep and miscues it off the cue end. The ball goes only as far and straight at Nathan Smith for a regulation catch at deep mid-wicket. Pathum Nissanka goes for a well-fought 66 (42), scoring 16 quick runs after returning to bat again. Sri Lanka are 204/5 and Santner once again proving to be the rescue man for New Zealand. Here's Chamindu Wickramasinghe, the new batter in for Sri Lanka. He is in at number 7.

The first one was very close but this was an easy decision to call it a Wide.

WIDE! Mitchell Santner continues to go even wider and tosses one up way outside off. Pathum Nissanka leaves it. Wided.

Pathum Nissanka is out there with the only intention to strike the ball in the stands and he has struck a few lusty blows already.

WIDE! Tossed up wide outside off, Pathum Nissanka swings and misses. Wided.

FOUR! Gets a boundary this time. Tossed up around off, Pathum Nissanka moves across and flicks this over backward square for a boundary. Nathan Smith puts in a brilliant diving effort to his right but his foot was touching the ropes with the ball in his contact on the slide as confirmed by the TV umpire.

Slower and wide outside off, Pathum Nissanka reverse sweeps this towards short third for no run.

Short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka smashes this towards long off and turns down the single.

SIX! STAND AND DELIVER! Short and wide outside the off-stump line. Pathum Nissanka goes deep inside the crease and drags the pull shot over the fielder and fence towards mid-wicket for a huge six.

On a length around off, Janith Liyanage defends this on off for no run.

On a length around middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka smashes this to long on and runs one this time.

Pathum Nissanka is really struggling to run singles here. And a pointed discussion between the on-air commentators, as they opine that Nissanka shouldn't be out batting if he cannot rotate strike. Especially keeping the upcoming Test series in mind, at home against Australia. He might be out there and try to go all guns blazing to retrieve that run rate back again for Sri Lanka.

FOUR! Finally, something productive from Pathum Nissanka post his injury. Short-pitched, around middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka flat-bats it up and over mid on for four.

Good length on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka swings and connects. The ball rolls to deep square but Pathum Nissanka just can't run.

This is not working, neither for Pathum Nissanka nor for Sri Lanka. Back of a length around off, Pathum Nissanka swings but doesn't connect.

Short pitched on off, Janith Liyanage punches this off his back foot towards off for one.

Tossed up on off, Janith Liyanage rolls this to long off and takes a single. Pathum Nissanka is really struggling.

Too full on off, Pathum Nissanka pushes this to long off and hobbles to the other end for one.

Short of a length around middle and leg, Janith Liyanage rocks back and smashes this to wide long on for one.

Tossed up on off, Janith Liyanage defends it off his front foot.

Fuller around off, Janith Liyanage drive this to point.

Too full on off, Janith Liyanage jams this out on off.

On a length, around the pads, Pathum Nissanka almost clips this to mid-wicket but it lands short of the fielder.

Time for another hydration break! This has been a good little passage of play for the Kiwis as they have sneaked back in the contest with three quick wickets. The stand between Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis was looking threatening as the two had added 87 runs together and had paced their inning masterfully. However, the spinners cashed in using the conditions to their benefit and provided crucial breakthroughs. With Sri Lanka slipping down from 156/1 to 183/4, and both set batters back in the sheds, they will have to rebuild once again to post a challenging total. While for New Zealand, a couple of more wickets would effectively dash Sri Lanka from posting a high score. Here's Pathum Nissanka back to resume his batting again. He is 50 (31). It will be interesting to see how he bats now. Santner to continue after the break. He is 6-0-20-1 so far.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Matt Henry delivers what his skipper had asked him for. Good length, just outside off, angling away from the batter. Kamindu Mendis slashes hard at it but slashes a bit early. The ball gets an outside edge and lands in the safe custody of Tom Latham behind the stumps. Kamindu Mendis falls 4 short of his half-century.

Good length on off, Kamindu Mendis pushes this towards mid off for no run.

Good length on middle and leg, Janith Liyanage flicks this through mid-wicket for a single.

Good length on off, Janith Liyanage plays this late and thumps this towards short third for another dot.

On a length around off, Janith Liyanage dabs this to short third for no run.

FOUR! Just when we were praising Glenn Phillips for his discipline, Glenn errs in line and darts this down the leg, Kamindu Mendis sits down and sweeps this fine and wide to the short fine leg fielder for four.

Like a machine he lands it full and on off, Kamindu Mendis pushes it towards cover for no run.

Fuller on the pads, Kusal Mendis tucks this to mid-wicket.

Tossed up on the pads, Janith Liyanage steps across and sweeps this to fine leg for a single.

Tossed up on off, Kamindu Mendis rotates strike with a push on off.

Too full, on leg. Kamindu Mendis tucks this to square leg for no run.

Fuller around middle and leg, Janith Liyanage flicks this towards square leg for no run.

FOUR! Short of a length around leg, Janith Liyanage stands inside his crease and swings, gets a tickled off the bat and the ball races away towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Length dragged back a bit, Janith Liyanage steps down to block this one. Some interest from the bowler and the keeper as they thought it was pad first. Tom Latham and Michael Bracewell convince Mitchell Santner to go upstairs for DRS. The UltraEdge confirms that it was pad first, moving onto the Ball Tracker it shows impact outside off and Janith Liyanage survives. New Zealand burn a review.

Tossed up on off, Kamindu Mendis drives this towards sweeper cover for one.

Fuller on middle and leg, Janith Liyanage tucks this through square leg for one.

SIX! Hammered down the ground for a huge six. Tossed up around middle and odd, Janith Liyanage walks down the track and smashes this straight over the bowler's head and into the sight screen for a huge six.

Excellent from Glenn Phillips as he bowls another tidy over. Fuller on the pads, Kamindu Mendis pushes this to mid-wicket for no run.

Too full on middle and leg, Janith Liyanage drills this to long on for one.

Flatter and quicker on off, Janith Liyanage guides this to short third.

Quicker and fuller on off, Janith Liyanage defends this one.

Pushed through, full and on off, Kamindu Mendis pushes this through cover for one.

Darted on leg, Kamindu Mendis gets behind it and blocks this.

Not that full, just outside off, stabbed across to mid-wicket. A successful over for New Zealand and Michael Bracewell.

Floated up, full and on off and middle, Liyanage leans on and pushes it back to the bowler.

A bit full in length, on the stumps, Kamindu clips it through square leg for a single.

A good-length delivery, on the stumps, Janith Liyanage dabs it to square leg and gets off the mark with a single.

Janith Liyanage walks out next to bat.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! WHAT A GREAT CATCH FROM MATT HENRY! Bracewell offers some flight on this one and pitches it around off, on a fuller length, Charith Asalanka clears his front foot and creates some room for himself. Goes through the line and hits it aerially and inside-out to clear the long off fence. Matt Henry though runs to his right and plucks the ball from the air by stretching his hands out. He shows great sharp awareness as he tosses the ball up before running into the fence with momentum. He balances himself, comes back into the field of play, and pouches it safely on the second attempt. The TV umpire is summoned to check for a fair catch and it is deemed as a clean catch. Spin doing the work for New Zealand and the tourists are now 160/3 with Charith Asalanka departing on a five-ball duck.

Pushed through, on middle, Charith Asalanka takes a huge stride forward and defends it back to the bowler.

FOUR! A well-crafted shot from Kamindu! GP slightly pulls his length back and keeps it outside off, Kamindu Mendis uses the width and hangs back to cut it through backward point for a boundary. Five dots and a four from Phillips' first over.

Nice and full, driven nicely but straight to cover.

Oh, so nearly dragged on! Not too short, flat and on off, Kamindu Mendis is caught in two minds and just gets stranded in the crease to defend. Gets an inside edge onto the boot and it rolls just beside the pegs.

Tight line again, attacks the stumps, full in length, pushed across to mid-wicket.

Drags the length, but keeps it tight on the stumps, Kamindu knocks it to mid-wicket with soft hands.

Glenn Phillips comes into the attack now. Dishes out a fuller one, on middle, Kamindu Mendis strides ahead and eases it into the leg side.

Quick and flat from Santner, on middle and leg, Charith Asalanka pushes it to mid on. A successful over for New Zealand.

Pitched on a good length, turning on the pads, Asalanka hangs back and tucks it to the leg side just beside the pitch.

Flat and full, around off, Charith Asalanka leans on and blocks it back to the bowler.

Charith Asalanka walks out next to bat.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! SANTNER COMES AND SANTNER STRIKES! A crucial, crucial breakthrough for New Zealand. This is pushed through a little quicker and fuller, right at the stumps. Kusal Mendis tries to take on and sits down to sweep it aerially. Gets it off the top edge and it flies straight in the safe mitts of Michael Bracewell at mid-wicket who runs a bit to his right and grabs it safely. Santner breaks this 87-run stand for the second wicket as Kusal Mendis departs for 54 (48). Sri Lanka are 156/2 now after 27.3 overs.

Slows it up, full and at off, Kamindu Mendis dances down to the pitch and eases it to cover-point for a quick single.

Santner is back into the attack. Flat and on off, blocked off watchfully by Kamindu.

A full-length delivery, on the off stump, Kusal Mendis drives it to mid off.

Nice and full, on middle, swept away but straight to short fine.

Turning into the pads, on a length, tapped with soft hands to the silly point region by Kusal.

FOUR! Shot! Serves a half-volley, nicely tossed up on off, Kusal Mendis gets on top of it and spanks it down the ground for a boundary.

Tossed up on the stumps, this eased to long off for a single.

FIFTY FOR KUSAL MENDIS! His first in New Zealand and 33rd overall in the ODIs! A crucial knock from the right-hander under pressure! Floated fuller and turning down the leg stump line, Kusal gets behind the line and tucks it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Not too short and just outside off. Kusal Mendis drags the pull shot along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

Straight and full on off, knocked straight to the covers.

SIX! CLOBBERED AWAY! A perfect connection! A short one from Smith, on off, Kusal Mendis reads the length early, gets in position quickly with a stable base and pulls it behind deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

Back of a length and slanting across the off stump, Kamindu cuts it to third man for one.

Length ball, on off, Kusal works it down to deep third for a single.

FOUR! Cheeky, really cheeky! Fired in fuller and outside off, Kusal Mendis waits for it, uses the pace and opens the bat face to guide it through the deep third region for a boundary.

Short and on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis hangs back and punches it behind the bowler for a single.

Full and just on the off stump, Kamindu pushes to cover-point and sneaks in a quick single.

Pushed flatter, on a length, on the off stump, Kamindu Mendis defends it out.

Switches to around the wicket, full-length delivery, on the stumps, defended in front.

Tossed up, fuller and on the stumps, Kusal clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Good length, on the off stump, Kusal defends at the crease.

Length delivery, on the off stump, runs it down to third man to retain strike.

IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Would you believe it? Matt Henry of all the fielders! How costly will this prove to the Kiwis? Only time will tell. Fired in full and on the stumps from Nathan Smith, Kamindu Mendis gets his front foot out and tries to hit it straight down the ground aerially. But only connects the toe-end of the bat. It flies high up in the air and hangs for a long time over mid on. Matt Henry gets underneath to catch but it goes in and out of his hands and cops him on the chest before rolling behind him. Should have been a wicket for Smith but Kamindu Mendis gets a reprieve and a single as well.

Short and slow this time around, on the top of the stumps, Kamindu Mendis rises with the bounce and taps it to backward point with soft hands. Denies for a single.

Nagging length, angling on middle and off, Kamindu Mendis strides ahead and blocks it forward right under his bat.

Good length, outside off, Kusal gets it through and cuts it to deep point for a single.

BEATEN! Gets a good shape away with a cross seam, outside off and on a good length, Kusal Mendis leans back to cut it square but gets beaten as the ball deviates away from him.

Pitched up, full and on the stumps, Kusal turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Length-delivery, on the off stump, Kusal wrists it to silly point.

FOUR! That was a boundary the moment he hit it! Nicely tossed up from Bracewell, full and on the stumps, Kusal Mendis gets on the front foot, swings hard and hits it down the ground for a boundary.

Floated up, full and just outside off, Kamindu Mendis gets a good stride ahead and drives it past cover. Glenn Phillips sprints and slides to keep it to just one.

Flat and at the stumps, on a good length, Kamindu gets a bit across and knocks it to mid on.

Dragged length, turning back in from outside off, Kusal Mendis goes deep in the crease and punches it between cover and point for a single.

Bowls it fairly outside off on a good length, Kamindu leaves.

Nice and full, angling into the batter, Kamindu Mendis presents a solid front foot block to the off side.

SIX! Played with absolute freedom! Digs in a short one does William O'Rourke, angling around off and at the rib height, Kamindu Mendis transfers the weight on the back foot, leans back and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a cracking six. The 50-run stand comes up between this Mendis duo.

Outside off once again, touch fuller this time, Kamindu Mendis shoulders arms at it.

Hurls it outside off again, on a nagging length at 138.7 kph, Kamindu leaves this harmless delivery.

Around the wickets for the left-hander! Length-delivery, shaping away from outside off, Kamindu slashes hard at it but the ball beats the bat and passes over the angled willow.

Good length, just outside off, Kusal Mendis goes back and across and cuts it but finds the fielder at short third.

Had to hurry there! Pushed through at a quicker pace, full and on off, Kamindu Mendis leans ahead and drives it towards the left of mid off and hares quickly for a single.

Flatter and on the stumps, worked across to mid-wicket.

Around the wickets now! Too full and quick, on middle, Kamindu Mendis pushes it back to the bowler.

Drags his length now, on middle and turning toward leg, Kusal rocks back and nudges it with soft hands to square leg. Milks a single.

Starts off on a fuller length, floated up and outside off, Kusal leans ahead and pushes it gently to mid on.

Back of a length on off, Kamindu Mendis dabs this towards backward point for no run.

On a length around off, Kamindu Mendis leaves it.

Short-pitched, around off, Kusal Mendis dabs this to gully for one.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off, was asking for trouble and Kusal Mendis cuts this up and over point for a boundary.

On a length around middle and off, Kamindu Mendis punches this behind the bowler for a single.

SIX! That's a brilliant stroke for six. Short-pitched, drifting down the leg, Kamindu Mendis stands still and hooks this one up and over fine leg for a massive six.

Pushed through on leg, Kamindu Mendis flicks this through mid-wicket and takes one to close the over.

Gives it a lot more air, on off. Kamindu Mendis jumps down the track but with the ball not in his rads ends up blocking it out.

Quicker and flatter on off, Kamindu Mendis nudges this to mid-wicket.

Short of a length on the pads, Kusal Mendis tucks this through mid-wicket for a single.

Short of a length on off, Kusal Mendis pushes this back to the bowler.

Tossed up on middle and leg, Kamindu Mendis flicks this away for one.

FOUR! That's one risky stroke from Kusal Mendis but it gets him a boundary. On a length around leg, Kusal Mendis moves in and flicks this. The ball was too full and plumb in front of the leg pole. Kusal Mendis gets it fine and the ball crashes into the fence towards fine leg.

Back of a length around the pads, Kamindu Mendis looks to flick this towards square leg but the ball shoots on him. Kamindu Mendis gets a tickle from the outside of his bat towards fine leg for one.

On a length outside off, Kamindu Mendis shoulders arms it.

Good length on off, William O'Rourke defends this around leg.

DROPPED! Daryl Mitchell has dropped Kusal Mendis on 15 and it appeared to be an easy take for a fielder with Daryl's caliber. Back of a length around leg, Kusal Mendis looks to dab this in-between second slip and the keeper but he gets an outside edge and the ball flies to the left of Daryl Mitchell. The fielder dives a bit late and the ball goes in and out of his hands with the batters taking one.

On a length around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis moves away from the stumps and had the intention to loft this over cover. William O'Rourke follows him and Mendis ends up blocking it on off.

Santner gets an outside edge of Kamindu's bat but the ball drops on short cover.

Offie around middle and leg, Kamindu Mendis tucks this toward square leg for no run.

Some aggression from Kamindu Mendis as he looks to unsettle Mitchell Santner. Tossed up around off, Kamindu Mendis shimmies down the track and smashes this on the bounce towards mid off.

Length dragged back, on off. Kamindu Mendis punches this back to the bowler.

Tossed up on off, Kamindu Mendis defends this towards mid-wicket.

Angled into the batter, Kusal Mendis goes deep inside the crease and tucks this towards leg for a single.

Time for the first hydration break of the match. Sri Lanka bossed the powerplay, in all fairness with Pathum Nissanka going all guns blazing. But, his injury has certainly slowed down the scoring rate after that. Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith have effectively managed to stem the flow of runs to an extent and would like to further press on their opposition with a couple of quick wickets. The Mendis duo meanwhile, will be aiming to spend more time on the crease to settle and construct a solid stand from here and cruise through the mid-overs. An important phase coming up. Santner to continue after the break. He is 3-0-15-0 so far.

Short and wide around off, Kamindu Mendis cuts this toward point for a dot to end the over.

SIX! He catches plenty of it this time around. Good length around the pads, all Kamindu Mendis needed was to get some bat at it. He goes through for the shot with no intention to keep it down and flicks this way beyond that tiny pocket towards deep square and adds six to the tally.

A tight line from Smith teases Kamindu Mendis to go for the drives. Kamindu Mendis goes for it but gets beaten on the outside.

On a length around middle and leg, Kamindu Mendis defends this back to the bowler.

Good length on the pads, Kusal Mendis moves in and flicks this through square leg for one.

Short-pitched, into the body. Kusal Mendis goes for the pull but doesn't get the timing right. The ball lands in-between short mid-wicket and mid on.

Fuller on leg, Kamindu Mendis tucks this straight at mid-wicket for no run.

Quicker and flatter on off, Kusal Mendis punches this through cover for one.

SIX! A drag down from Mitchell Santner and Kusal Mendis makes him pay. Rocks back and pulls this into the stands and away for a huge six.

Low full toss on middle and off, and with mid on inside the circle, Kusal Mendis was happy to slog this over the infield and get two.

Drifts one in on off, Kusal Mendis defends it.

Floated on off, Kamindu Mendis walks down the track and rolls this to long on for one.

On a length around off, Kamindu Mendis pushes this towards the left of Mitchell Santner at mid off for one.

Gives it a whack out of nowhere. On a length around middle and off, Kusal Mendis slogs this and doesn't get the timing right. Luckily for Mendis, the ball lands in front of Mark Chapman at deep square.

Good length on middle and leg, Kamindu Mendis nudges this just wide of short mid-wicket for one.

Some spice from Nathan Smith as he lands one short around leg, Kamindu Mendis ducks down.

On a length around middle and leg, Kamindu Mendis punches this to mid on for no run.

Good length around off, Kamindu Mendis blocks this toward point.

Fuller around middle and off, tuning into the left-hander. Kamindu Mendis nudges this through square leg for a single.

Tossed up on off, Kusal Mendis drives this to sweeper cover for one.

Gives it a lot more air, gets some grip and bounce, around off. Kusal Mendis blocks it out.

Pushed through on off, Kusal Mendis hops back and guides this to short third.

Touch fuller, on off, turning away from the batter. Kusal Mendis dabs this towards point for no run.

Short of a length on off, Kusal Mendis blocks this towards off.

Another one defended solidly off his front foot from Kamindu Mendis.

Good length on off, Kamindu Mendis gets right behind the line of it and blocks it out.

On a length around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis plays the on-drive towards mid on and takes one. Kamindu Mendis could have been in some trouble with Mitchell Santner throwing it toward the keeper's end.

Kamindu Mendis is up and away with a single towards the fine leg region.

Too good a delivery first up. Back of a length, angling away from the left-hander. Kamindu Mendis looks to block this one but it keeps shaping away. Beats the outside edge.

Kamindu Mendis is the batter in for Sri Lanka.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Natham Smith strikes for New Zealand and provides that crucial breakthrough. He hurls it on a good length, and angles it on the pads, Avishka Fernando moves inside the line of the ball, and goes for the pull shot looking to take on Mark Chapman at the deep square leg fence. However, the ball isn't that short to execute that shot, hence, he doesn't time it well and the ball gets more elevation than distance and Mark Chapman does the rest by taking a regulation catch. Avishka Fernando's struggling innings comes to an end as he departs for 17 off 33 balls. Sri Lanka are 69/1.

Quicker and flatter on off, Kusal Mendis punches this at extra cover for a dot to end the over.

Darted on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis blocks it out.

Tossed up around middle and off, Avishka Fernando moves away and lofts this inside out over cover for one.

Tossed up around off, Avishka Fernando drives but straight at extra cover.

Too full on off, Kusal Mendis drives this to wide long off for another single.

Floated on off, Avishka Fernando moves away and drives this through mid off for one.

Oh dear! Not a pleasing sign for Sri Lanka. Pathum Nissanka has struggled to complete the single here and just doesn't look fit enough to continue. He is on his haunches. Meanwhile, Sanath Jayasuriya is seen ordering him to come back and Pathum Nissanka walks out and is retired hurt. He will get a chance to bat again if he is fit later on. Kusal Mendis walks out to bat now. Also, a change in bowling as Mitchell Santner comes into the attack, replacing Matt Henry.

Powerplay 2 is now in effect, allowing the fielding team to position 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle until the 40th over.

Ouch! Pathum Nissanka is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Pathum Nissanka is retired hurt.

Not quite timed well! Length, outside off, Avishka Fernando mistimes it over cover and it is chased by Mitchell Santner to the deep. Pathum Nissanka is in clear discomfort and just gives up running to the other end. Somehow he completes the run as he limps and struggles.

Just wide of mid-wicket! Touch full and on middle and leg, angling further in, Avishka Fernando chips it uppishly and wide of mid-wicket.

Worrying signs for Pathum Nissanka and Sri Lanka as he is down and undergoing some treatment. In the last few strides of this quick one to bring up his fifty, Pathum Nissanka had a grimace on his face and it appeared to do something with his groin. Nissanka after some treatment is fit to continue.

ODI FIFTY NUMBER 7 FOR NISSANKA! Half-tracker, on off, Pathum Nissanka jumps on the back foot and pushes it between mid off and cover for a quick single. Oh dear! He struggles to complete the run, and limps from halfway through, but gets home safely. He is down on the ground immediately. It must be a groin issue as per the on-air commentators. He is grimacing in pain and the physio is out in no time to attend to him.

Shapes away a shy bit, on a good length around off, tapped away to backward point.

SIX! Oh, that is a mighty hit! Smith bowls a shorter one, on top of off, Pathum Nissanka weighs on the back foot, gets the ball at a comfortable height and just pulls it aerially and parks it behind deep square leg for a six. That has gone rows back into the crowd.

Short of a good length from Smith, outside off, Pathum Nissanka gets on the toes and plays the square cut just past backward point. Runs the first one hard and scampers back quickly for the second run.

Aims the stumps does Henry, on a hard length, Avishka Fernando stabs it back to the bowler. Another good over for Sri Lanka, 6 runs from it.

Full again, on off, Avishka Fernando pushes it to mid on.

Fuller in length and around off, Pathum Nissanka prods ahead and goes for a cover drive, but gets it off the outer half of the bat. It runs down to the deep third region. They cross.

Hard length, outside off, punched away wide of mid off for a single.

FOUR! Just over the inner ring and gets it through comfortably! Short in length from Henry, just around off, Avishka Fernando weighs on the back foot and pulls it over mid on. The fielder chases it but the ball keeps dribbling away and breaches the boundary.

Swing and a miss! Length, outside off, shaping away. Avishka Fernando misses to connect on the pull shot.

FOUR! The 50 is up for Sri Lanka in style! Smith hurls it on a fullish length, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka gets inside the line and flicks it towards deep backward square leg. Will Young from the deep mid-wicket does the hard yards but the ball beats his dive to the right and races into the fence.

Back of a length, on top of off, Pathum Nissanka responds with a solid back foot punch back to the bowler.

FOUR! This is good strokeplay from Nissanka! Good length, on off and middle, Pathum Nissanka picks it up well, hoicks it across uppishly and gets a boundary at deep square leg.

Length ball on the stumps, defended well.

SIX! Nissanka on the charge here! Pitched a bit fuller, just a yard back from a full length, on the stumps, Pathum Nissanka dances down the ground and swings it across. Plays it aerially and the ball lands just behind the cow corner fence for a six.

Shaping away from the right-hander on off, Pathum Nissanka punches this good-length delivery to the off side.

Nathan Smith is into the attack now, replacing William O'Rourke.

Hard length, just outside off, Pathum Nissanka hops on the back foot and guides it to deep third for a single to end the over. This has been a good start for the Sri Lankans this time around.

Good length and shaping away outside off. Nissanka cuts hard to point.

SIX! Clears the boundary with ease! That has gone 92 meters away! Short and on the bodyline, Pathum Nissanka maintains good shape, stands inside the crease, swivels and pulls it behind deep square leg for a huge six. That sounded so good off the wood and was timed to perfection.

Had to hurry there! Good length, on off, Avishka Fernando walks ahead and knocks it in front of mid off and rushes to the other end. Mitchell Santner runs forward and throws in a motion to the bowler's end but has a shy.

Swing and a miss! Good-length delivery, shaping away from outside off, Avishka Fernando swings hard at it to go over the off side but misses and the ball passes close to his angled bat.

Henry continues, bowls it on a nagging length, shaping away from off, Avishka Fernando pushes it off the back foot to cover.

Fuller in length, on the stumps, driven straight down the ground but the fielder from mid off intercepts it.

Back of a length, outside off, Avishka Fernando rises with the bounce and guides it past the diving backward point fielder for a single. It was a bit uppish but well far from the fielder there.

Drags his length back a bit, around off, Avishka Fernando blocks it off the back foot.

Nice and full, on off, Pathum Nissanka plays with a straight bat and drives it down the ground for a single as the fielder from mid off chases it.

SIX! What a shot! First one of the day! Short and on the top of the stumps, Pathum Nissanka walks a step ahead and hooks it behind deep backward square leg for a cracking six.

Length, outside off, cut away off the back foot but straight to the fielder.

A huge appeal for LBW, but not given! Mitchell Santner asks the bowler and Matt Henry isn't quite sure about it. They do not opt for a review! This is on a good length that nips back into the batter on the leg stump line, Avishka Fernando is beaten by the zip and pace and plays over it. The ball pings on the front pad. The Ball Tracking later shows that it indeed would have slided down the leg stump.

Aims the pegs on a good length, Avishka Fernando gets on the back foot and taps it under the bat.

FOUR! Good stroke! A welcome boundary for Fernando! Wobbly seam, good length, and just around off, Avishka Fernando pounces on it and flashes hard at it. Gets it between cover-point for a boundary.

Oh, this one bounces off the deck, on a good length, deviating away a shy bit. Avishka Fernando is beaten on the cut shot and the ball passes above his angled bat.

Straight and full, on the stumps, Fernando strides ahead and blocks it back to the bowler.

Hard length, zipping through over the top of middle and leg, Avishka Fernando tries to block it forward but it jags back in and beats the inside edge to rap him on the knee roll.

On middle, on a fuller length, Pathum Nissanka gets inside the line and tucks it to the mid-wicket region. Nissanka again looks at the bat and is not really happy with it.

Nagging length, outside off, Nissanka gets on the back foot and cuts it straight to point. It came more from the toe-end of the blade. Pathum Nissanka has called for some taping on it.

FOUR! Now, that is a good cricketing strokes! Serves a genuine half-volley does William O'Rourke, straight at the stumps, Pathum Nissanka taps his front foot out and slaps the ball down the ground for a cracking boundary.

Angling into the batter, full in length, Pathum Nissanka prods ahead and drives it off the inside half of the bat, and gets it past mid-wicket for a quick couple of runs.

Hurls it outside off, at 135.2 kph, on a length. Pathum Nissanka slashes the cut, but finds Glenn Phillips at backward point.

Nips back into the right-hander, on a hard length, just outside off, Pathum Nissanka rises with the bounce and cuts it straight to point.

Attacks the stumps on a good length, Avishka Fernando leans on the ball and blocks it out to the off side.

Length, on the stumps, clipped away to mid-wicket.

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.

Back of a length, nipping away from outside off, left alone by Avishka.

Fuller and on the stumps, Nissanka drives it on the up between mid on and mid off for a single.

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.

Hard length, just outside off, Fernando gets right behind it and guides it to backward point with soft hands.

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 Mitchell Santner from the inner ring. Two runs taken.

Short of a good length, with that spongy bounce, outside off, Fernando offers no shot at it.

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.

Fuller and outside off, Avishka Fernando leaves this harmless delivery.

Straighter around off, on a good length, Avishka Fernando strides across and blocks it right under his bat.

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.

William O'Rourke will bowl from the other end.

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 lands and nips away, and zips past the outside edge. 6 from the opening over then.

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!

Outside off, on a hard length, Pathum Nissanka waits for it and guides it away to deep third for a single.

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.

Nice and full, straighter and on off, Pathum Nissanka leans on the ball and blocks it forward.

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.

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...

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 (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.

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.

... MATCH DAY ... 

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.