Sri Lanka they will be looking to end their tour of New Zealand by winning their third ODI. The final match of the three-match series is scheduled to be played on Saturday (January 11) at Eden Park, Auckland.
The visitors have already conceded the series after losing the first two games. They suffered a 9-wicket loss in the first game before New Zealand beat them by 113 runs (DLS method) in the second game to end the series.
Lanka did not face the bat and ball in the must-win clash as New Zealand outplayed them completely. Batting first in the game which was reduced to 37 overs a side due to rain, the Black Caps went on fifties from Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman to score 255/9.
In reply, Sri Lanka were all out for just 142 runs in 31 overs. Kamindu Mendis was the only Sri Lankan batsman to offer some resistance with the bat as he scored 64 runs. For New Zealand, William O'Rourke was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 31.
As Lanka now look to save face in the third ODI, we take a look at the Sri Lanka Playing 11 for the upcoming game.
Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs New Zealand – 3rd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25:
Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando
Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando are set to open in the Sri Lanka Playing 11 for the third ODI. Even though they failed to impress in the second game, they are expected to retain their place in the Sri Lanka Playing 11.
Nissanka, who looked in good touch in the T20I series, struggled to find his groove in the ODIs. The right-handed batsman was dismissed for just 1 run. His partner Avishka Fernando didn't have the best outing with the bat either.
After scoring a fighting fifty in the first game, Fernando could not deliver with the bat in the must-win clash for his side. He was dismissed for just 10 runs and will be keen to end the series on a high note.
Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga
Kusal Mendis was once again disappointed with the bat. The Lankan star was bowled out for just two runs and will be desperate to turn things around in the upcoming game.
Kamindu Mendis was the pick of the Lankan batsmen in the second game. While most of his teammates struggled to do well with the bat, Kamindu played a fine knock of 64 runs with the help of 5 fours and 3 sixes.
Captain Charith Asalanka could not lead his side from the front. He was dismissed for just 4 runs while trying to steal a quick single and will be looking to do well in the final match of the series.
Janith Liyanage and Chamindu Wickramasinghe started with the bat but could not capitalize on them. While Liyanage was dismissed for 22 runs, Wickramasinghe departed for 17. With the ball, both batsmen went wicketless.
Lankan star Wanindu Hasaranga did well with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 39 runs in 8 overs. With the bat, he scored only 1.
Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando
Lanka are expected to make a change in their bowling line-up for the upcoming match. Lahiru Kumara is expected to replace Eshan Malinga in the Sri Lanka Playing 11 for the third game. Malinga failed to perform well in the second game and is likely to be benched.
Maheesh Theekshana took 4 wickets in the game including a hat-trick while Asitha Fernando picked up 1 wicket.