It was Kusal Mendis and the Sri Lanka spinners who came to the party to hand Sri Lanka their first ODI series win against New Zealand since 2012 as they took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
The hosts will now look to go for the clean sweep and ahead of the third ODI here’s our match preview and predictions.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 3rd ODI | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024 | 14:30 IST, November 19
The rain-hit second ODI had seen New Zealand be asked to bat first and it was the spinners causing all sorts of trouble for the Kiwis batters right from the get-go. Opener Tim Robinson and Henry Nicholls were sent back to the pavilion early and the visitors were in a spot of both at 98-4 before Mark Chapman and Mitchell Hay put up a 75-run partnership. Post that partnership, it was another collapse as the last five batters could only manage 19-runs as New Zealand were bowled out for 209. Mitchell Santner took the responsibility in his own hands as he opened the bowling and sent Avishka Fernando back early but barring it was only Michael Bracewell, who managed to get amongst the wickets as the hosts got home with three-wickets to spare. Bracewell’s four-for along with some tight bowling from the Kiwi spinners will be something Santner looks forward to in the final game of the tour as well.
For the hosts, their spinners were on the money right from the get-go. Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay spun a web around the Kiwi batters and even though there was a bit of a hiccup with the bat as Bracewell was running through the middle-order, a calm and composed 74* from Kusal Mendis saw Sri Lanka home with Theekshana playing a crucial knock of 27*.
The final ODI of the series will also take place in Pallekele which means we should expect another low-scoring encounter with the spinners to have a field day. Given their spinners’ unit and home advantage, count on the hosts to sweep the series.
Fantasy XI: Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Mark Chapman, Glenn Philips, Charith Asalanka, Mitchell Santner, Matheesha Theekshana, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay
Venue: Pallekele
Winners Prediction: Sri Lanka
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