Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 3rd ODI Highlights: Follow Scorecard And Match Action From Pallekele

Right then, this marks the end of New Zealand’s long tour in the sub-continent and it has ended as it began as rain called off their one-off Test against Afghanistan and it has now washed out their final game in Sri Lanka as well. Sri Lanka on the other hand end the home season with just one ODI loss in 2024 and have swept all five home ODI series. Next up for the Lankans, they travel to South Africa to play a couple of Test matches as the Kiwis fly home to welcome England for a three-match Test series as well. Hope you enjoyed our coverage of this series and you can switch tabs and check all the latest fixtures and coverage. Until next time then, take care and goodbye!

Charith Asalanka now goes on to collect the series-winning trophy and hands it over to some of the new guys as the Lankan players rejoice at the podium and pose for a team photograph.

Charith Asalanka, the captain of Sri Lanka is handed the series-winner check and he then comes up for a chat. He says that he is really pleased with the ODI calendar and it is not easy to win five series on the bounce even at home. Adds that they gave the players a chance and individually, they did really well. Reckons that the team seems settled right now but they can still improve on a few things. Mentions that he is enjoying captaincy and ends up lauding the efforts of Kusal Mendis, the bowlers and the fielding as well.

The captain of New Zealand, Mitchell Santner says that it was going to be challenging to play here as the conditions are different from what they have at home. Feels that his players would have learned a lot from this tour. Mentions that it is a shame that the rain came in and we could never resume but you expect that in this part of the world. Tells that Young and Nicholls did a good job and the way the wicket was playing, they were eying a big score. Shares that it has been a different experience to captain the side and the new faces brought a lot of energy to the team.

Kusal Mendis is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for his brilliance with the bat. Since he has been released from the squad, Avishka Fernando collects the award on his behalf.

The Presentation ceremony…

Earlier, the toss went Mitchell Santner’s way, and New Zealand opted to put runs on the board. Tim Robinson fell early, but Will Young and Henry Nicholls started promisingly, aided by some indisciplined bowling from the Lankan pacers. The introduction of spin helped the hosts slow the scoring rate, but the search for a second wicket continued before the heavens opened up, 21 overs into the game. After that, the rain stopped a couple of times but before we could a resumption time, it was back on and the umpires had to give in. Stay tuned for the post-series presentation ceremony…

UPDATE – 2.18 pm GMT – Well then, the news we all dreaded is here and the 3rd ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand has been ABANDONED DUE TO RAIN! It’s a shame as this match would have been a great way for both teams to gauge the depth of their bench and allow a few fringe players to make a mark but the persistent rain has played spoilsport.

UPDATE – Uh oh… yes, you guessed it right! The rain has returned. It’s been that kind of day today. The waiting game continues!

UPDATE – Great news! It has stopped raining.

UPDATE – 1.34 pm GMT – Unfortunately, it is still raining, and all we can do at the moment is hope that it relents soon enough for us to resume the action. Given the efficiency of the ground staff, we can hope for a quick turnaround, but for that, the rain needs to stop first.

In case you missed it, Sri Lanka today announced a 17-man squad for their upcoming two-match Test series in South Africa. The Dhananjaya de Silva-led squad is largely as expected, with some notable returnees in the bowling department. Left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya returns to the squad, as does right-arm seamer Kasun Rajitha. The series kicks off with the first Test in Durban on 27th November, followed by the second Test in Gqeberha on 5th December. With Sri Lanka in 3rd place and South Africa in 5th in the World Test Championship standings, this series is crucial for both teams’ aspirations to reach the final.

UPDATE – It continues to rain in Pallekele.

UPDATE – Oh, no! The rain is back, and so are the covers. We were just minutes away from the scheduled inspection and the heavens have opened up, though it’s just a drizzle at the moment.

UPDATE – 12.13 pm GMT – There is an inspection scheduled for 12.30 pm GMT! It seems the rainfall was really heavy and there might be water on the outfield. The Lankan ground staff are always really efficient, so, there is hope of a prompt resumption after the inspection.

UPDATE – All covers have been removed and we are inching closer to the resumption.

UPDATE –

UPDATE – Good news! It has stopped raining.

UPDATE – 11.15 am GMT – Not much to report from the ground as it is still raining in Pallekele according to a few sources. And although we have a buffer of 60 minutes, we will certainly lose overs as even if the rain stops immediately the mop-up work will take some time. We can only hope for the best, stay tuned.

UPDATE – 10.43 am GMT – Just before the broadcasters go off for a break, scenes in the background depict heavy rain. In all likeliness, this is going to be a bit of a long delay but there’s plenty of time left in the game, so, there’s no need to worry yet. Stick around as we bring you the latest updates from Pallekele.

UPDATE – 10.30 am GMT – Uh, oh! The rain has descended from the clouds and well, it was always on the cards. The umpires and the players rush off the field and the covers come on. It is very dark and it might start to really pour in but lets hope that the rain passes soon. Stay tuned for further updates.

20.6 – Full and outside off, turning away from the batter, Young leans forward and sweeps it all along the ground towards fine leg but gets cut down by the fielder positioned there.

Batsman_1 : Will Young 56(68)

Batsman_2 : Henry Nicholls 46(51)

Bowler : Jeffrey Vandersay 0/18(5)

Over : 21

Run : 4

Wicket : 0

Score : 112/1

20.5 – A bit quicker, full and on the pads, Young brings out the sweep but picks out the man at short fine leg.

20.4 – A wrong’un outside leg, turns towards the batter, Nicholls rocks back and taps it towards square leg for a single.

20.3 – Loopy delivery, on a fullish length, on off, Young plays the reverse paddle. It rolls in front of short third and the batters complete a quick single.

20.2 – 1 run.

20.1 – 1 run.

19.6 – This is fired in a bit and outside off, Nicholls blocks it off. 11 off the over!

Batsman_1 : Henry Nicholls 44(49)

Batsman_2 : Will Young 54(64)

Bowler : Charith Asalanka 0/18(3)

Over : 20

Run : 11

Wicket : 0

Score : 108/1

19.5 – FOUR! Oh, that is poor fielding from Dilshan Madushanka. Tossed up on the pads, Henry Nicholls goes down to sweep and does so a bit aerially and well behind square leg. The ball goes on the bounce to deep backward square leg but Madushanka gets completely bamboozled by the spin.

19.4 – Floated up on a length and on off, Will Young waits back and punches it off the middle of the bat down to long on for one more.

19.3 – 1 run.

19.2 – FOUR! Finally, a boundary!

19.1 – Nagging length on off, Young dabs the reverse sweep just wide of short third for a single.

18.6 – Nagging length, sliding on from off and middle, pushed away with a straight bat towards mid off.

Batsman_1 : Henry Nicholls 35(45)

Batsman_2 : Will Young 52(62)

Bowler : Jeffrey Vandersay 0/14(4)

Over : 19

Run : 5

Wicket : 0

Score : 97/1

18.5 – Tossed up on middle and leg, Nicholls looks to step out but has to just push it back to the bowler.

18.4 – 2 runs.

18.3 – 1 run.

18.2 – Nicely played and Will Young brings up a 9th ODI FIFTY!

18.1 – Tossed up, quite full and around off, driven straight back to the bowler.

17.5 – On a dragged length again and at the stumps, Young eases it off the back foot down to long on for one more and moves on to 49.