Sri Lanka finally managed a consolation win in the 3rd ODI against New Zealand. At Eden Park on Jan 11, Sri Lank defeated New Zealand with a marginal 140 run different.
In that game, Sri Lanka came all along with their top batters to defeat New Zealand. Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Janith Liyanage, all three of them scored fifties against New Zealand. Sri Lanka netted 290 runs for 8 while rounding off New Zealand to only 150 runs in 29.4 overs.
Not only the batters but also the bowlers, especially Asitha Fernando ,did a good job with the new white ball. He took 3 wickets for 26 runs. He broke the back of New Zealand’s top order with his early wickets to reduce them to only 22 for 5.
On New Zealand’s side, only Mark Chapman did well by scoring 81 off 81 balls. But he did not get support from his teammates as the wickets on New Zealand’s side kept falling off.
Sri Lanka began well, with Nissanka starting off aggressively with 66 runs in 42 balls. Furthermore, Kusal Mendis added 54 runs from 48 balls, with Liyange adding a solid 53 off 52 balls.
Sri Lanka had a stutter in their middle order but did well to get back into the game and ended the game on a high total. Sri Lanka ensured they finished on a high ending their tour after losing the first 2 ODIs of the series.