Match Center

Rigth then, that is it from this game and this exciting series which New Zealand win 2-1. However, the cricketing action does not stop here as the hosts will now travel away to play a five-match T20I series against Pakistan. The first game will be played on 14th April, Friday at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). For Sri Lanka, they will take on Ireland in a two-match Test series. The first Test will start on 16th April at 10 am (4.30 am GMT), but as you know you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, Goodbye and Cheers!

Tim Seifert is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock of 88 runs off just 48 balls. He is also the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for scoring 167 runs in three matches.

Earlier in the game, Sri Lanka  posted a good total thanks to brilliant half-century from Kusal Mendis and good contributions from Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva and Dasun Shanaka, but they know they could have got 10-15 runs more. Benjamin Lister got two wickets for the hosts while Adam Milne and Ish Sodhi picked up one each. Coming to the chase, it was another Tim Seifert show and in the end the hosts survived a scare winning it with only one ball to spare.

Sri Lanka, on the other just like the hosts were a bit sloppy on the field and let go off a few chances which ultimately cost them. Their bowlers tried their best, but it just wasn't enough for them. They will be thinking of the last over of their batting when they only managed three runs which shifted the momentum. They looked down and out until the last three overs where they showed grit and determination and Lahiru Kumara almost took pulled off something special, but it wasn't to be. He picked up three wickets while  Maheesh Theekshana and Pramod Madushan picked up one each.

New Zealand got off to a decent start and Chad Bowes was dropped early on, but couldn't make much of it. The opening stand between him and Tim Seifert of 53 runs set the platform for them which was further made solid by a 84-run partnership between Seifert and Tom Latham. Both of them got through the middle overs nicely and kept the scoreboard ticking. Seifert once again showed his wide range of shots and aggressive style and never let the bowlers settle. However, once Latham got out, Seifert also follow him soon after and missed out on his century as he made 88 runs off just 48 balls. Most of the work was already done by them and it just about playing sensibly. Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman struggled a bit to hit the boundaries, and the game went to the last over with the hosts needing 10 runs to win. Chapman hit a maximum on the first ball and then the Kiwis almost made a mess of it by losing three wickets in three balls, but Rachin Ravindra took them home.

What a game of cricket! It is ecstacy for New Zealand, but heartbreak for Sri Lanka. It looked like an easy chase for the Kiwis going into the last five overs, but Lankans showed great fight and took it to the last over and almost pulled of a surprise win. However, it was Rachin Ravindra who kept his calm under pressure and hit the crucial winning runs and New Zealand win the series 2-1.

New Zealand wrap up the series in a thrilling style as Rachin Ravindra carves this short one towards backward point and runs a couple. They win by 4 wickets and seal the series 2-1!

Bye. Short and wide outside off, Adam Milne looks to cut but misses out. Kusal Mendis collects this and throws it back to the bowler but a fumble from Lahiru Kumara allows the hosts to complete the single. 2 from 2 now.

Adam Milne walks out to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! What is happening here! New Zealand are making a mess out of this and this is going down to the wire now. This is a short-pitched delivery chest high, Daryl Mitchell looks to pull this but hits this high on the sticker of his bat and balloons this over mid off. Dasun Shanaka takes a good catch to dismiss him and keep the Lankan hopes alive. 3 needed of 3 now.

Rachin Ravindra comes out to the middle now.

OUT! RUN OUT! Full and wide of off, James Neesham leaves this thinking this would be signaled wide and runs for a bye, Kusal Mendis collects the ball and throws to Lahiru Kumara who collects and smashes the stumps on the non-striking end. Wide signaled by the umpire but they lose Neesham too.

James Neesham walks out to bat with 4 runs needed in 4 balls now.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Fuller on outside off, Mark Chapman looks to go downtown but lofts one in the hands of Charith Asalanka at short cover, Charith Asalanka takes a good high catch back paddling to mid off under this pressure sitaution.

SIX! Pace on offer and Mark Chapman has smashed this for a maximum. On a length around leg, Mark Chapman lofts this way over the head of deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Lahiru Kumara (3-0-29-1). Can he defend 9 runs?

Perfect yorker to end the 19th as Mark Chapman inside edges this to fine leg for a single. 10 needed of the final over.