Match Center

Right then, that is it from this game. Sri Lanka wrap the series up and will look to go for the whitewash while New Zealand will play for pride The third and final ODI is scheduled to be played on 19th November, Tuesday at the same stadium. It will be begin at 9 am GMT, but as you know, you can always join us a bit early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Charith Asalanka, the victorious skipper of Sri Lanka says he is very happy with the win. Adds that as a team they are in a good process and want to continue the good work. Tells that he misread the pitch and thought dew would play a bigger factor. Mentions that he he hopes Maheesh Theekshana also liked his knock as it is not easy to bat here. Ends by saying that they will try their bench in the next game.

Mitchell Santner, the captain of New Zealand, says that it was a challenge to defend a low total but Kusal Mendis really batted well and took away the game from them. Adds that they have a really good spin attack and if they had more runs on the board, things could have been different. Credits Sri Lanka and Theekshana for their performance. Concludes that that is the nature of the schedule but they are ready for the upcoming games.

Kusal Mendis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock. He says that the injury is not serious. Adds that it was tough to bat with the new ball but Pathum Nissanka gave them a good start. Tells that he wanted to take his time and take the game deep. Mentions that Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, and Janith Liyanage supported him well. Says that Jeffrey Vandersay and the other spinners bowled well, especially in the second half. Ends by saying that it was difficult to bat with cramps as he couldn't use the sweep to its full potential so he focused on the singles.

Presentation Time...

Maheesh Theekshana is up for a quick chat. He says that actually this win is more satisfying than the last one. Adds that Kusal Mendis played brilliantly and he is very happy with the team's performance. Tells that New Zealand bowled well but he rotated the strike well with Mendis to let him face more balls. Mentions that, the wicket was good but then rain came and pitch started turning and they had planned to play till the dew comes. Concludes that it was really helpful playing a World Cup in India and that has given them a different kind of experience to play in high intensity matches.

Earlier in the game, New Zealand managed a below-par total in a rain-interrupted innings reduced to 47 overs. Mark Chapman stood out with a brilliant 76 off 81, while Mitchell Hay contributed a valuable 49 to push them past the 200-mark. Theekshana was the standout bowler once again, claiming three wickets, while Vandersay also bagged three. Fernando picked up two, with Wellalage and Asalanka chipping in with a wicket each.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their inability to cross the finish line. They had their chances in the game and made things tougher for Sri Lanka than expected. Michael Bracewell was outstanding with the ball, picking up four crucial wickets at key moments. Santner, Phillips, and Smith contributed with a wicket each, but Sodhi's inconsistency and lack of impact hurt them. Their fielding was below par, conceding 10-15 extra runs, which ultimately proved costly.

Kusal Mendis played his slowest ODI knock but it was extremely crucial for his team. He needed to take his time as he was losing partners at the other end. But he kept his calm at all times and this is even more impressive because he suffered from cramps halfway through his knock but still took is team over the line.  A couple of quick cameos from Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana supported him while he remained unbeaten on 74 off 102 balls

Sri Lanka began their chase on a steady note but lost a couple of wickets within the Powerplay. Nissanka squandered a good start, while Kamindu departed without scoring. Kusal Mendis, however, looked solid at the crease, anchoring the innings first with Asalanka and then with Liyanage. While both partnerships moved the chase forward, the dismissals of his partners left Mendis in a challenging position, shouldering the bulk of the responsibility in the pursuit.

SRI LANKA MAKES IT 2-0 AND SEALS THE SERIES! After getting their first ODI win over New Zealand since 2015 in the first game, the Lankans follow it up with another brilliant performance with once again Kusal Mendis being at the forefront of the team.

Two! There's the winning runs and they take the series too! Angled into the pads. This is worked past square leg for two.

Around off. Blocked.

A bumper now, Therkshana ducks under it.

Shorter and on middle. This is pulled through square leg for one.

On the off pole. This is pushed through covers for one.

On middle. This is worked past square leg for one.

Steps out and plays a beautiful drive but straight to mid off.