The third and final match of the ODI series between new Zealand and Sri Lanka ended with the Islanders winning the game by 140 runs. A strong display from the visitors with the bat and an amazing bowling display from Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando and Maheesh Theekshana sealed victory in Sri Lanka. The trio took three wickets each which was too much for the home side in the end and stopped their chase at just 150 runs in 29.4 overs.
The only hope for the Blackcaps was Mark Chapman. However, the powerful opener could not do much among the other New Zealand batsmen and failed to convert the Blackcaps. However, this victory is Sri Lanka's only reward as the home team has already won the ODI series by winning the first two matches.
A determined effort from Sri Lanka with the bat
Sri Lanka looked confident from the start of the match. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision was appropriate if Pathum Nissanka is a superior batter In Mendi gave Sri Lanka a solid start. Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyange was on hand to set up the Sri Lankan innings. A dedicated knock from these Sri Lankan batsmen has helped Sri Lanka post 290 runs in 50 overs.
Matt Henry played for the New Zealand bowling unit. The ace Blackcaps pacer took 4 wickets for his team and achieved the historic feat of completing 150 wickets in his ODI career.
The fearsome display from New Zealand strikes
In response, the New Zealand batsmen put up a terrific display with the bat. It started with openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra an early dismissal, leaving the Blackcaps two wickets down in just four overs. New Zealand's entire middle order was destroyed adding to the Blackcaps' concerns.
A lowly New Zealand team tried to help Chapman who was the only batsman to deal with the onslaught from the Sri Lankan pace attack. Chapman's 81-run knock off 81 balls established him as the master of the glittering arsenal that had already been eliminated in New Zealand. However, even Chapman could not save the home team from the humiliation of the past as they were last batting dismissed by the Sri Lankan players. This is Sri Lanka's second biggest win against New Zealand in the ODI format, the biggest being 189 in Auckland in 2007.
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This is how Twitter did it
I am sure that perhaps the loss will be Chapman's fault, and that Latham will escape scrutiny for another failure. I also believe we will leave Chapman and Hay in the group, because 'experience'… #nzvsl
โ Simon Wood (@WoodOnWineNZ) January 11, 2025
If there was a dead rubber league, would we be World Champions? ๐ฑ๐ฐ#NZvSL
– Kithmina Hewage (@khewage1) January 11, 2025
Largest margins of victory (in terms of runs) in ODIs by Sri Lanka v New Zealand:
189 – Auckland 2007
140 – Auckland 2025
112 – Mumbai 2011 (WC)
106 – Sharjah 2001
106 – Colombo (SSC) 2001#NZvSL– Arthur_S (@allanholloway) January 11, 2025
It's a shame that Sri Lanka couldn't play the Champions Trophy!! One of the best performing groups in the last 8 months!! In today's shows they deserve to be there more than Bangladesh!! #ChampionsTrophy2025 #NZvSL
– ๐ต๐ฐ | Hassanโข๐๐ฎ (@HassanEmpire007) January 11, 2025
Well I have been a fan of SL ever since I knew cricket. And in all honesty with their reputation as an overseas team, I didn't give them a chance in this series expecting them to roll 6-0 in all competitions. So I am very happy with the way they have done it.#NZvSL
– Riwaj (@ReiwazAdh) January 11, 2025
First ODI win for SL in NZ after 9 years & after 10 Matches Without a Win
The last win was on 31 Dec 2015Fernando can't be MOTM
That Nissanka 50 from 31 in the PP where the ball was doing everything was very special #NZvSL– RENESSAN (@RENESSAN) January 11, 2025
Mark Chapman was the last to be dismissed for 81
New Zealand All are given to 150
Sri Lanka won by 140 Runs, NZ won the series 2-1 #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/HB8CKiTFb9
โ Abhijeet โ (@TheYorkerBall) January 11, 2025
This is good to recover from #SriLanka This man, Sanath Jayasuriya is trying to bring that 90s Srilankan flavor to the team. #NZvsSL
– Harish Sridhar (@timelesscricket) January 11, 2025
Credit was due to Sri Lanka's excellent performance in giving us cover tonight but @BLACKCAPS seriously… ๐ค๐ค
– Brendon Corlett ๐ณ๐ฟ (@BrendonCorlett1) January 11, 2025
29*62 is 81
How well Mark Chapman has done for the leading scorer in this series. ๐ #NZvsSL pic.twitter.com/opqS6Hcn7B
– ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ค๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐ณ๐ฟ (@Kiwiscricketfan) January 11, 2025