Auckland (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s bowlers produced a sensational display to dismantle New Zealand’s top order, securing a commanding 140-run victory in the third and final ODI at Eden Park on Saturday. Despite losing the series, the visitors salvaged pride with a clinical performance, restricting New Zealand to just 150 in 29.4 overs while defending their total of 290-8.
New Zealand’s chase began disastrously, with their top order collapsing to 21-5 within the first seven overs. Seamers Asitha Fernando (3-26) and Eshan Malinga, along with spinner Maheesh Theekshana (3-35), wreaked havoc. Fernando led the charge with a lethal opening spell, swinging the ball prodigiously to tear through the hosts’ batting lineup.
Mark Chapman fought valiantly with a run-a-ball 81, keeping New Zealand’s faint hopes alive. However, his lone resistance ended when Theekshana bowled him to wrap up the innings. No other New Zealand batter managed to cross 20 runs, with five of the top six dismissed for two runs or less.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup delivered a vastly improved performance. Opener Pathum Nissanka set the tone with a blistering 66 off 42 balls, including six fours and five sixes. Forced to retire hurt after reaching 50 due to a hip injury, Nissanka later returned in the 34th over to add another 16 runs, giving the innings additional momentum.
Kusal Mendis (54 off 48) and Janith Liyanage (53 off 52) contributed half-centuries, anchoring Sri Lanka’s innings after the strong start. New Zealand seamer Matt Henry stood out with figures of 4-55, reaching the milestone of 150 ODI wickets, while skipper Mitchell Santner claimed 2-55 with his spin.
Santner acknowledged that the target of 291 was competitive but credited Sri Lanka’s bowlers for turning the game decisively. “Asitha got the ball swinging, they took their catches, and made it challenging for us,” he said. “It’s a bit disappointing, not the way we wanted to finish the series after playing quite well.”
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka expressed pride in his team’s comeback after heavy defeats in the first two matches. “It’s always great to bounce back like this,” Asalanka said. “Today was a pleasure to watch, even though we couldn’t win the series.”
The victory mirrored the pattern of the preceding T20 series, where New Zealand also won 2-1, but Sri Lanka showcased their potential in this emphatic final performance.
