New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, SL in NZ, 3 T20Is, 2023 Full score card

New Zealand wrap up the series in a thrilling style as Rachin Ravindra carves this short one towards backward point and runs a couple. They win by 4 wickets and seal the series 2-1!

Bye. Short and wide outside off, Adam Milne looks to cut but misses out. Kusal Mendis collects this and throws it back to the bowler but a fumble from Lahiru Kumara allows the hosts to complete the single. 2 from 2 now.

OUT! TAKEN! What is happening here! New Zealand are making a mess out of this and this is going down to the wire now. This is a short-pitched delivery chest high, Daryl Mitchell looks to pull this but hits this high on the sticker of his bat and balloons this over mid off. Dasun Shanaka takes a good catch to dismiss him and keep the Lankan hopes alive. 3 needed of 3 now.

Adam Milne walks out to bat now.

Rachin Ravindra comes out to the middle now.

OUT! RUN OUT! Full and wide of off, James Neesham leaves this thinking this would be signaled wide and runs for a bye, Kusal Mendis collects the ball and throws to Lahiru Kumara who collects and smashes the stumps on the non-striking end. Wide signaled by the umpire but they lose Neesham too.

James Neesham walks out to bat with 4 runs needed in 4 balls now.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Fuller on outside off, Mark Chapman looks to go downtown but lofts one in the hands of Charith Asalanka at short cover, Charith Asalanka takes a good high catch back paddling to mid off under this pressure sitaution.

SIX! Pace on offer and Mark Chapman has smashed this for a maximum. On a length around leg, Mark Chapman lofts this way over the head of deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Lahiru Kumara (3-0-29-1). Can he defend 9 runs?

Perfect yorker to end the 19th as Mark Chapman inside edges this to fine leg for a single. 10 needed of the final over.

On a length outside off, Daryl Mitchell pushes this to long off for a single.

On a length outside off, Mark Chapman punches this to extra cover for a single.

back of a length outside off, Daryl Mitchell smashes this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slower one back of the hand outside off, Daryl Mitchell drives this wide of long off but Dasun Shanaka does well and saves a couple on the fence.

Fuller one wide of off, Mark Chapman pushes this to point for a single.

Leg bye. Good length delivery outside off, Mark Chapman looks to flick but gets hit on his pads instead and takes a single.

On a length around middle, Daryl Mitchell taps and runs for this

On a length around the waist, Mark Chapman looks flick, but misses and it goes off his pads to the off side. A leg bye is taken.

Full and wide outside off, Mark Chapman looks to flick but misses out. Wide signaled by the umpire but Kusal Mendis heard some notce and has asked for a review. The replay shows that the ball has clipped his pads so the wide has been overturned.

Fuller one outside off, Mark Chapman lofts this up and over the cover fielder for a couple.

On a length around off, Daryl Mitchell lofts this in front of deep mid-wicket for a single.

Kasun Rajith (3-0-29-0)a to bowl out now.

Overpitched on off, Mark Chapman drives this to extra cover for no run.

Another back of the hand delivery outside off, Daryl Mitchell drills this past the bowler for a single.

Slower one back of hand delivery on off, Daryl Mitchell pushes this back to the bowler.

Halt! A mandatory concussion check will happen now as Mark Chapman has been hit on his helmet. He gets a new helmet as well and is ready to go now.

Leg bye. Bouncer right on the badge, Mark Chapman ducks down but this hits the helmet and travels to square leg. Single taken here but the physio is out to check on Mark Chapman.

FOUR! Fuller on off, Mark Chapman plays the drive to perfection as he gets this past the mid off fielder for a boundary.

Mark Chapman is the next man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Short-pitched delivery much slower and wide of off, Tim Seifert reaches out to it and managed to loft this in the hands of Kasun Rajitha at extra cover for a soft dismissal. Had he left this, it would have been called a wide.

Tossed up on leg, Daryl Mitchell nudges this to deep mid-wicket for a couple more.

Fuller one in middle, Tim Seifert smashes this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Short once again on off, Tim Seifert cuts this to deep extra cover for a boundary.

FOUR! Short in length on off, Tim Seifert goes down on his knee and sweeps this in the gap on square leg for a boundary.

Fuller one on pads, Daryl Mitchell flicks this to short fine leg and sets off for a single.

Short in length on off, Daryl Mitchell advances down the track and tucks this to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Flighted, full and on off, Daryl Mitchell taps it towards point for a run.

Fires this one full and on off, Daryl Mitchell once again tries to reverse-sweep, but it goes off his gloves and hits the grill of his helmet.

Quicker, short and around off, Daryl Mitchell looks to push it away, but misses.

Flatter, full and on off, Daryl Mitchell revers-sweeps it towards short third man.

Tossed up, full and on off, Daryl Mitchell reverse-paddles it towards third man for a brace.

Daryl Mitchell comes out next to bat.

OUT! TIMBER! Maheesh Theekshana strikes! A dream delivery to get rid of Tom Latham. This is floated outside off, grips and turns in sharply a long way, Tom Latham stays back to push it away, but plays all over it and the ball goes through to rattle the stumps. The partnership is finally broken and New Zealand two down now.

A slower delivery, full and outside off, Tim Seifert swings across the line, but fails to connect.

This is on a good length and on middle, Tom Latham tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Fullish and down the leg, Tom Latham misses his flick. Wided.

On a length and outside off, Tom Latham cuts it wide of deep point for a couple of runs.

A slower one, short of a length and on middle, Tim Seifert looks to slog it away, but misses and it goes off his arms to the off side. They cross.

FOUR! A streaky boundary, but they all count! Kasun Rajitha pitches this up and outside off, Tim Seifert makes room and tries to reach for it falling over in the process, and manages to get an outside edge over short third man for a boundary.

Full again and on middle, Tom Latham clips it towards deep square leg for a single.

This is full but down the leg side, Tom Latham moves across a bit too much and fails to reach it. Wided.

Floated, full and on off, Tom Latham pushes it wide of covers for one more.

Tossed up, full and on off, Tom Latham lofts it over extra covers for a brace.

Slower through the air, on off, Tim Seifert steers it towards backward point for one.

Floated, full and on middle, Tim Seifert clips it towards deep mid-wicket and comes back ofr the second. Good running!

Flatter, short and on off, Tom Latham tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Short and on off, Tim Seifert pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fires this one full and on leg, Tom Latham looks to slog it away, but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Quicker, full and on middle, Tom Latham sweeps it again towards deep square leg where Maheesh Theekshana fumbles again and allows the second run.

Flighted, full and on middle, Tim Seifert sweeps it towards deep square leg for one.

Flatter, full and on off, Tom Latham reverse-paddles it towards short third man for a run.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! This is floated, full and on middle, Tom Latham goes down and sweeps it wide of deep square leg where Maheesh Theekshana runs to his right, but dives over the ball and lets it through for a boundary.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Tim Seifert works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga (2-0-18-0) comes back into the attack.

Short and on off, slower too, Tim Seifert waits for it and drags it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Short of a length and outside off, Tom Latham cuts it towards deep point for another run.

SIX! BOOM! Tom Latham goes big now! This is on a hard length and around leg, Tom Latham uses the pace of the ball to pick it up and deposits it over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie. The 50-run partnership comes up with  that between these two batters.

Back of a length and outside off, slower too, Tim Seifert punches it towards sweeper covers for a run.

FOUR! Cheeky but effective! Pramod Madushan serves this full and around leg, Tim Seifert shuffles across and looks to scoop, but gets a bottome edge towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

On a length and around leg, Tom Latham nudges it through square leg for a single.

On a length outside off, Tom Latham taps this to third man for a single.

Fuller on in middle, Tim Seifert nudges this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! On a length around pads, Tim Seifert flicks this off his pads towards the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

FOUR! Another boundary to the total from the toes Tim Seifert this time. Fuller one going down leg, Tim Seifert flicks this of his toes for a boundary towards fine leg.

Short-pitched delivery around the chest, Tim Seifert slices this to third man for a couple. The umpire asks for a run-out check but Tim Seifert was safely in his crease.

On a length around off, Tom Latham pushes this with soft hands to short cover and takes a quick single.

Lahiru Kumara (2-0-20-1) comes back into the attack now.

No run. Fuller one in middle, Tim Seifert pushes this back to the bowler.

Short in length wide of off, Tim Seifert cuts this to backward point for a couple.

Tossed up on middle, Tom Latham sweeps this to deep square leg for a single.

Fuller one on pads, Tim Seifert rolls this to deep square leg for a single.

SIX! Another classy knock for a half-century for Tim Seifert. Tossed up on middle, Tim Seifert slog sweeps this way over the long leg fielder for a maximum.

Fuller on pads, Tom Latham sweeps this to short fine leg for a single.

2 Leg byes. Fuller one drifting down leg, Tim Seifert clips this off his pads towards fine leg for a couple.

Length dragged back a bit on pads, Tom Latham milks this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller one on leg, Tim Seifert works this to long on for a single.

Fuller on eon off, Tom Latham drives this wide of the fielder at point and rotates the strike.

Short in length on off, Tom Latham cuts this to point for no run.

Quicker and flatter on pads, Tim Seifert pushes this to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

Fuller one on off, Tim Seifert nudges this on the on side for a single.

FOUR! Fuller one on off, Tim Seifert reverse sweeps this over short third man for a boundary.

Tossed up outside off, Tim Seifert looks to play the sweep but misses out. Kusal Mendis was quick to collect and remove the bails and the umpire has referred this for a stumping to the T.V. umpire. The replay shows Tim Seifert was back in his crease just in time and he survives.

Short in length on top of middle, Tim Seifert pushes this back to the bowler for no run.

Tossed up on off, Tom Latham rolls this to long on for a single.

Short in length on off, Tim Seifert pushes this to deep extra cover for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to bowl some leggies now.

Leg bye. On a length angling in towards the batter, Tim Seifert tucks this off his thigh pads for a single towards square leg.

On a length around middle, Tim Seifert rolls this to deep mid-wicket and takes a couple here.

Wide! Fuller one down leg, Tim Seifert looks to flick but misses out.

On a length outside off, Tom Latham tucks this in front of mid on and takes a quick single.

Tom Latham walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! UP IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! On a length around middle, Chad Bowes looks to flick this but manages a leading edge that balloons in the air toward short point, Kusal Mendis called early for this and collects a good catch covering good ground in front of him.

Full and wide of off, Tim Seifert drills this to extra cover for a single.

FOUR! Short-pitched delivery towards the chest, Tim Seifert pulls this high towards deep mid-wicket and collects a boundary. Nuwanidu Fernando there puts in a brilliant effort to catch it, but fails to reach it and couldn't save the boundary as well. With that, the 50-run partenrship comes up between the openers.

A full toss around leg, Chad Bowes looks to whip it away, but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball goes nowhere.

A good yorker now, on middle, Tim Seifert digs it out towards mid on for a run.

SIX! Into the stands! Kasun Rajitha continues with the slower one, full and on leg, Tim Seifert picks it up early, goes down and slog-sweeps it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Fullish and on leg, Chad Bowes tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Back of a length and on off, slower again, Chad Bowes through his pull shot early and gets hit on the back shoulder.

A slower one, on a length and on middle, Tim Seifert guides it towards point for a single.

Short of a length and on leg, Tim Seifert works it towards mid on for one.

Length again and on off, Chad Bowes bunts it towards backward point for a run.

On a length and on middle, Tim Seifert heaves it towards deep square leg for a single.

Short of a length and outside off, Tim Seifert tries to reach for it, but misses.

FOUR! Brilliant shot! This is full again and around middle, Tim Seifert makes some room and shows the full face of the bat to loft it towards the long on fence for a boundary.

FOUR! A lucky boundary! Lahiru Kumara begins with a full delivery, outside off, Tim Seifert goes for the big booming drive, but loses his shape and gets an inside edge past the stumps and towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

FOUR! No stopping that! Pramod Madushan lands this short and on middle, sits up nicely, Chad Bowes pulls it towards the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Back of a length and on off, Tim Seifert punches it wide of point where Charith Asalanka dives to his left to make a good half-stop. They cross.

EDGED AND FOUR! Pramod Madushan serves this full and outside off, Tim Seifert swings across the line, but gets an outside edge over short third man for a boundary.

A juicy full toss, on middle, Chad Bowes gets surprised by it and forces it towards deep mid-wicket for another run.

Goes fuller and on middle, Tim Seifert mistimes his drive towards long on for a run.

Pramod Madushan starts with a fullish delivery arounChad Bowes clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Pramod Madushan replaces Kasun Rajitha.

Slightly shorter and on middle, Chad Bowes moves back and tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Fires this one short and around off, Chad Bowes goes down to sweep it away, but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is an appeal for LBW, but turned down. Dasun Shanaka goes for the review straightway. UltraEdge shows no bat involved, and Ball Tracking shows indicates impact is outside off, so the on-field call remains and Sri Lanka lose their review.

Tossed up, full and on off, Chad Bowes drills it towards cover-point.

Shortish and on middle, Chad Bowes clips it towards mid on.

Quicker, short and on off, Chad Bowes looks to play at it, but gets an outside edge past the keeper and towards third man for a brace.

FOUR! Chad Bowes greets Maheesh Theekshana with a boundary! Maheesh Theekshana begins with flatter delivery, full and on off, Chad Bowes drives it through covers for a boundary.

Who will bowl from the other end?

SIX! Salt to the wounds! Kasun Rajitha lands this short and around off, Tim Seifert makes some room and crunches it over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie.

DROPPED! A huge moment in the match! This is fuller and around off, Chad Bowes looks to flick it away, but closes the face early and gets a leading edge towards third man where Pramod Madushan tries to settle under it, but spills it as the ball was moving around in the air too. A single is taken. Chad Bowes gets a life!

This is on a hard length and on off, Tim Seifert guides it with the outer half towards third man for a run and gets off the mark.

Chad Bowes and New Zealand are underway! This is a bit fuller and around leg, Chad Bowes clips it through backward square leg for a single.

Short of a length and outside off, Chad Bowes cuts it wide of short covers where the fielder dives to his right to stop it.

Kasun Rajitha starts with a good-length delivery, on off, shaping away, Chad Bowes pushes it towards covers.

Only a bye to end the innings them! Matt Henry sees the batter make room and serves this full and outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga is too far away from the ball, and tries to reach it, but misses and falls over too. However, the batters again get a bye run. Sri Lanka finish on 182/6!

Fullish and on off, Maheesh Theekshana throws his bat at it, but misses. However, the batters get a bye as Tom Latham misses his shy at the batter's end.

A slower one now, short and outside off, Maheesh Theekshana tries to reach for it, but misses.

Maheesh Theekshana walks out next.

OUT! RUN OUT! Another excellent piece of fielding! This is a low full toss, on middle, Charith Asalanka whips it towards deep square leg and calls for the second, but Mark Chapman is very quick to pounce on the ball and throws at the keeper's end where Tom Latham does the rest. The replays shows that Charith Asalanka is short of his crease and Sri Lanka lose their sixth wicket.

Swing and a miss! This is a bit fuller and otuside off again, Charith Asalanka swings wildly across the line, but fails to connect.

Short of a length and outside off, angling away, Charith Asalanka slashes and misses.

Wanindu Hasaranga walks out next.

OUT! TAKEN! Adam Milne gets a wicket on the last delivery of his spell! He bangs this onto the pitch and around off, Dasun Shanaka looks to pull it away, but gets a bit of top edge as it flies high in the air towards deep mid-wicket where Chad Bowes settles under it and takes a nice reverse-cup catch. Sri Lanka lose half their side now!

Great effort in the deep! This is pitched up, on off, Dasun Shanaka drives it firmly wide of long off where James Neesham runs to his left and dives to make a good stop. Two runs taken!

FOUR! A poor delivery and punished! This is a full toss, on off, Dasun Shanaka stays there and thrashes it wide of long off for a boundary.

Full again and around off, Dasun Shanaka drills it towards sweeper covers where a bit of a fumble allows the second run.

Full and on off, Charith Asalanka drives it through covers for a single.

On a length, but way outside off, Charith Asalanka leaves it alone. Wided.

Back of a length and around leg, Dasun Shanaka misses his clip, and the ball goes off the pads towards short fine leg. A leg bye is taken.

Full again and on leg, Charith Asalanka misses his flick and gets hit on the pads as the ball goes nowhere. There is a stiffled appeal for LBW, but turned down.

Slower again, full and on off, Dasun Shanaka pushes it towards covers for a run.

FOUR! Fine shot! Benjamin Lister bowls a low full toss, outside off, Dasun Shanaka reaches for it and squeezes it past point for a boundary.

A slower bouncer now, on middle, Chamika Karunaratne pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust! Dhananjaya de Silva goes back after a good cameo. Benjamin Lister bowls a slower delivery, full and outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to go big, but has to reach for it and ends up slicing it high in the air towards sweeper covers where Tim Seifert runs forward and takes a nice catch. Sri Lanka four down!

FOUR! Full and wide of off, Dhananjaya de Silva leans down and drives this through cover for a boundary. This was easy picking for Dhananjaya de Silva.

Full toss on off, Dasun Shanaka pushes this to extra cover and takes a single. The fielder takes a sigh at stumps and hits them at the non-striking end resulting in a single more to the total.

OUT! RUN OUT! A brilliant effort in the field from Adam Milne and New Zealand gets a wicket out of nothing here. This is full and on middle, Kusal Perera mistimes his slog towards deep mid-wicket for a run, and decides to come back for the second, Adam Milne quickly runs towards the ball, picks it up and hits bullseye at the batter's end with Perera diving to save himself, but he is well short and the replays confirm the same. Sri Lanka three down now! Also, Dasun Shanaka walks out to bat now.

This is the perfect platform laid by the top order for the others to follow and smash the ball all over the park.

This is on a hard length, but outside off, way outside off, Kusal Perera leaves it alone. Wided.

James Neesham nails the yorker now, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva jams it out towards short third man for a run.

SIX! High and handsome! James Neesham bowls this touch fuller and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva clears his front foot and smashes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Short of a length and on middel, slower again, Kusal Perera pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

A slower delivery, on a length and on off, keeps low too, Kusal Perera looks to heave it away, but misses.

SIX! Into the crowd! Matt Henry serves this full and around off, slower too, Dhananjaya de Silva picks it up, waits for it and just lofts it over the long off fence for a biggie. 13 runs off the over!

On a length and on off, Kusal Perera pushes it towards covers for a single.

FOUR! Good shot! Matt Henry misses his yorker and bowls a low full toss, on off, Kusal Perera stays there and drills it wide of deep point for a boundary.

Halt! Kusal Perera is down again as he stretched in the last delivery to get back in his crease. The physio is out again and treating him

Run out chance....missed! This is a brilliant yorker, on off, Kusal Perera digs it out to the right of the bowler and Dhananjaya de Silva sets off for the run and is halfway through when he is sent back, Henry picks up the ball and has a shy at the batter's end instead where Perera is not expecting that and is out of his crease and puts in a desperate dive, but the ball goes past the stumps and both batters survives.

Full and on middle, Kusal Perera heaves it towards wide of deep square leg for a brace.

A slower one and on middle, Kusal Perera mistimes his flick to the left of the bowler.

Halt! The physio has rushed in the middle to look after Kusal Perera who is feeling his hamstrings. He is ready to continue though. Matt Henry (2-0-19-0) comes back into the attack.

Full and wide of off, Kusal Perera hops onto his back foot and drills this to sweeper cover for a single.

Fuller one on off, Dhananjaya de Silva drives towards wide long off for a single.

Floated on of, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes this to cover for no run.

Short in length outside off, Kusal Perera punches this off the back foot towards backward point for a single.

SIX! Tossed up on middle, Kusal Perera slog sweeps this high in the air toward deep mid-wicket. Daryl Mitchell collects this with his body momentum taking him over the fence. He claims to collect this clearly but the replay shows that his backfoot was on the boundary line with the ball in his hands so the umpire signals a maximum here. A brilliant effort in the field but a maximum is awarded to Kusal Perera.

Is that out? Daryl Mitchell takes a catch near the boundary ropes, but the umpire wants to see if he released the ball before touching the ropes or not. This is really close and is touch and go. After a lot of replays the umpire deems that it is Not Out.

Fuller one on off, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes this to long off for a single.

Full and wide outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes this to sweeper cover for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva comes out to the middle now.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Slower one outside off, Kusal Mendis gets an outside edge on this as the ball travels towards short third man where Ish Sodhi makes no mistake and collects this nice and clean to dismiss Kusal Mendis.

Wide yorker, Kusal Mendis looks to slice this to third man but fails to connect.

FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Kusal Mendis gets a thick outside edge over short third man for a boundary.

Back of a length around the waist, Kusal Perera pulls this to deep square leg for a single.

Full and wide outside off, Kusal Mendis chases this and hits uppishly towards backward point. Rachin Ravindra puts in a good effort running to his right but drops this as they take a single.

Fuller around middle, Kusal Mendis pushes this on the on side for a single.

Short in length outside off, Kusal Mendis makes room by shuffling to his leg but misses out.

Tossed up on off, Kusal Perera pushes this to long off for a single.

SIX! innovation at it's very best. Fuller one on off, Kusal Perera reverse sweeps this over point all the way for a maximum.

Nicely flighted fuller on off, Kusal Mendis works this away towards mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller one on off, Kusal Mendis blocks this back to the bowler.

Fuller one on off, Kusal Mendis pushes this to long off for a single.

FOUR! It's raining boundaries here in Otago. Fuller one wide of off, Kusal Mendis edges this wide of the keeper for a boundary towards the third man region.

SIX! Fuller one outside off, Kusal Mendis gets down on his knee and slogs this over the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

Short in length on off, Kusal Mendis hops on his back foot and cuts this to point for no run.

Wide! Full and wide of off, Kusal Mendis leaves this again as the umpires signals wide again.

Wide! Full and way too wide of off, Kusal Mendis leaves this.

Tossed up on leg, Kusal Perera pushes this to mid-wicket and takes a single.

FOUR! Waivered delivery punished by Kusal Perera as he grabs a boundary. Short in length on pads, Kusal Perera smashes this past short fine leg for a boundary.

SIX! Full toss on pads, Kusal Mendis gets low and flicks this over the head of deep square leg fielder for a maximum to bring up his half-century.

Wide! The attempted back-of-hand delivery goes way down leg, Kusal Mendis looks to flick but missed out.

Back of a length outside off, Kusal Perera pulls this falt to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slower one on off, Kusal Mendis tucks this away towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Short-pitched delivery on off, Kusal Perera gives it a charge and pulls this wide of mid-wicket for a single.

On a length outside off, Kusal Perera cuts this to cover-point for no run.

Fuller one outside off, Kusal Mendis taps this in front of square on off and takes a quick single.

Adam Milne (2-1-9-0) comes back into the attack now.

Shortish and on middle, Kusal Mendis flicks it off the back foot towards square leg for another run.

Floated, full and on the pads, Kusal Perera clips it through backward square leg for a run and gets off the mark.

Quicker, short and on leg, Kusal Perera looks to flick it away, but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball rolls to the leg side.

Kusal Perera walks in at no. 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Ish Sodhi draws first blood, but this wicket is all about James Neesham who takes a stunning catch in the deep. This is the leg-spinner, short and on middle, turning away a shy bit, Pathum Nissanka moves back and tries to pull it away, but fails to get underneath the ball and hits it flat and in the air towards deep mid-wicket where James Neesham runs forward and dives to take a terrific low catch. Sri Lanka lose their first wicket!

Flatter, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka goes for the slog-sweep, but gets an inside edge towards short fine leg.

Short and outside off, Kusal Mendis drags it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short again and on middle, Kusal Mendis flicks it off the back foot towards square leg for another run.

Flatter, short and on off, Pathum Nissanka moves back and tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Flighted, full and around off, Pathum Nissanka tries to reverse-sweep it, but fails to connect.

Quicker, short and on off, turning away, Pathum Nissanka looks to cut, but misses.

Floated, full and on off, Kusal Mendis drives it through covers for a single.

SIX! BANG! Kusal Mendis greets Rachin Ravindra with a maximum! Rachin Ravindra starts with a tossed delivery, on middle, Kusal Mendis skips down the track and smokes it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Rachin Ravindra comes into the attack.

Back of a length and on leg, Kusal Mendis pulls it with the inner half towards square leg for a run.

FOUR! Just wide! James Neesham serves this full and on off, slower too, Kusal Mendis stays there and smacks it just wide of Matt Henry at mid off for another boundary.

James Neesham bangs this onto the pitch and on leg, Pathum Nissanka miscues his pull towards deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Just over! Sri Lanka are playing with fire at the moment! James Neesham lands this short once again and around off, Pathum Nissanka dances down the track and slaps it with no timing, but it just goes over mid off for a boundary.

This is short again and outside off, shaping away a bit, Pathum Nissanka slashes hard at it, but misses.

James Neesham begins with a short-of-a-length delivery, outside off, Pathum Nissanka cuts it straight to point.

A googly now, outside off, Pathum Nissanka punches it off the back foot through cover-point for one.

Tossed up, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka uses his feet and drives it towards covers.

Ish Sodhi continues to bowl short, outside off, Pathum Nissanka cuts it towards point.

Another short delivery, on leg, Kusal Mendis flicks it off the back foot towards square leg for a run.

Short again and around leg, Kusal Mendis pulls it towards deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second.

Short and on middle, Pathum Nissanka moves back and forces it towards long on for a single.

Ish Sodhi starts with a flatter delivery, full and down the leg, Pathum Nissanka misses his flick and Tom Latham behind the stumps fails to stop it as well as the ball goes towards fine leg. Two byes are taken and it is called a wide.

End of the Powerplay. New Zealand started off well but the watchful approach of the Lankan batters paid dividends as they managed to score freely in the last couple of overs of the powerplay and scored 48 for no loss of wicket. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka have looked at ease so far. Daryl Mitchell had an opportunity to dismiss Mendis but he dropped him at first slip.

Fuller again and on middle, Pathum Nissanka knocks it wide of mid off for one more. Sri Lanka are 48 for no loss at the end of the Powerplay!

Full but down the leg side, Pathum Nissanka misses his flick. Wided.

A yorker now, on off, Kusal Mendis digs it towards mid off for one.

FOUR! Nice shot! Benjamin Lister bowls this short and on middle, Kusal Mendis picks up the lenght early and pulls it hard and spilts the fielders at deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

A slower one now, on a length and on leg, Pathum Nissanka tucks it to the right of the bowler for a run.

Back of a length and on middle, Kusal Mendis nudges it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Just short! Benjamin Lister lands this short and around middle, Pathum Nissanka tries to clip it away, but times it too well and in the air towards deep square leg. However, it falls just short of the diving fielder. They cross.

Adam Milne (1-0-10-0) comes back into the attack

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Back of a length around the waist, Kusal Mendis picks it up early and pulls this over the fence at the square leg region.

FOUR! Short-pitched delivery near the helmet badge, Kusal Mendis pulls this but gets an edge on this but the ball travels quick and fast for a boundary towards long leg.

Yorker in middle, Kusal Mendis pushes this to Daryl Mitchell at short mid-wicket for no run.

Fuller one on off, Kusal Mendis drives this to mid off for no run.

Wide! On a length going down leg, Kusal Mendis looks to flick this one but misses out.

Fuller one on off, Kusal Mendis clears the front leg and looks to loft this over mid off but fails to get a clean connection.

On a length around off, Kusal Mendis places this in front of point for no run.

Matt Henry comes back into the attack now. He conceded six runs in his first over.

FOUR! Overpitched outside off, Pathum Nissanka strides out and plays the cover drive for a boundary through cover.

Back of a length around the waist, Pathum Nissanka looks to pull but couldn't get a clean connection on this as the ball crawls towards short mid-wicket.

Length dragged back a fraction, Pathum Nissanka shadows the cover drive and leaves this for the keeper to collect.

Halt! Adam Milne is not happy with the landing area and the groundstaff is in with some sawdust to level it. We are good to go now.

EDGED AND DROPPED! Fuller one outside off, shaping away from the batter, Kusal Mendis gets an outside edge that flies towards Daryl Mitchell at first slip but he fails to collect this as the batters take a single.

FOUR! Boundaries are coming thick and fast now. Short and wide outside off, Kusal Mendis slices this over point for a boundary.

Short pitched delivery wide of off, Kusal Mendis looks to pull this but chops one onto his pads for no run.

Fuller one in middle, Pathum Nissanka pushes this towards short mid-wicket for no run.

FOUR! Fuller one around pads, Pathum Nissanka flicks this fine of short fine leg and grabs a boundary.

Short and wide of off, Kusal Mendis cuts this high in the air towards third man but this falls safely for a single.

FOUR! On a length drifting down leg, Kusal Mendis accepts this freebee and lofts this over short fine leg for a boundary.

Short and wide of off, Kusal Mendis looks to run this down to third man but gets beaten.

On a length angling away from the batter, Pathum Nissanka guides this to third man for a single.

Benjamin Lister replaces Adam Milne.

It's a maiden over by Adam Milne. Fuller one swinging away from the batter outside off, Kusal Mendis leaves this all alone.

Fuller one swinging away from the batter way outside off, Kusal Mendis chases this and looks to go over cover but misses out.

On a length just outside off, Kusal Mendis gets beaten yet again as he looks to push this on the off side.

Back of a length just outside off, Kusal Mendis looks to punch this off his back foot but gets beaten.

Fuller one outside off, Kusal Mendis goes for an expensive drive but gets beaten by the away swing on offer.

On a length outside off, Shaping away after pitching, Kusal Mendis pokes at it but gets beaten.

Adam Milne to share the attack.

On a length around middle, Pathum Nissanka places this wide of the bowler to his right and looks for a single but Matt Henry was quick on the ball and stops the single.

FOUR! On a length outside off, Pathum Nissanka chases this and gets an outside edge that runs past first slip for a boundary towards third man region.

Fuller one outside off, Kusal Mendis gently pushes this with soft hands towards cover-point and takes a single.

On a length around off, Kusal Mendis defends on the off side for no run.

Back of a length just outside off, Kusal Mendis looks to block but gets beaten on his outside edge.

Yorker to start the proceedings here, Pathum Nissanka guides this to third man for a single.

We are all set to begin! The New Zealand players are in a huddle and then spread out to take their respective field positions Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are the two openers for Sri Lanka. Matt Henry has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara (In for Dilshan Madushanka).

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Chad Bowes, Tim Seifert, Tom Latham (C)&(WK), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Matt Henry (In for Henry Shipley), Ish Sodhi, Benjamin Lister.

TOSS- New Zealand has won the toss and elected to BOWL first.

New Zealand, on the other hand would be hoping to put up a performance as similar as they did in the second T20I, where they completely dominated the opponents and registered a series levelling victory. Their bowlers really did well and restricted the opponents to a below par total on a ground that had shorter boundaries. Tom Latham would be hoping that his bowlers give him exactly the same kind of performance and the way the batters batted while chasing the total and managed to chase that down without any hiccups. Adam Milne would lead the charge in the bowling department and a similar kind of performance would be required of him if his team is to register a second victory in the three match T20I series and clinch the silverware. The batting department would be dependent on Tim Seifert and Chad Bowes, along with the experienced Daryl Mitchell. It is going to be an exciting game of cricket. Stay tuned for toss up and team updates. 

Sri Lanka started the series with the bang as they defeated the hosts in a thrilling game but were dominated in the second game against the Kiwis. The batters led the visitors down in the second game and if they are to clinch the series the batters will have to join the party and the bowlers too will have to play their part. A lot would depend on Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera who have shown some fight so far. The bowling would depend on the broad shoulders of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga. They will take some points from both games and try to rectify their misttto win this game and the series.

Hello and welcome, to all our viewers. New Zealand takes on Sri Lanka for the third and final T20I at the beautiful John Davies Oval in Queenstown which is holding its first ever T20I with the series hanging in balance level at one each in the series decider. 

... MATCH DAY ...