NZ vs SL third ODI: Sri Lanka crushes New Zealand by 140 runs
Fernando (3-26) was the chief destroyer with the new ball as New Zealand’s first five wickets tumbled inside the first seven overs.
Sri Lanka razed New Zealand’s top-order Saturday (January 11, 2025) to comfortably win the third one-day international in Auckland by 140 runs and salvage a lone victory in the series.They were led by some lethal seam bowling from Asitha Fernando and Eshan Malinga, who claimed three wickets each, as did spinner Maheesh Theekshana.
Fernando (3-26) was the chief destroyer with the new ball as New Zealand’s first five wickets tumbled inside the first seven overs.
He recovered and returned in the 34th over to add a further 16 runs, hitting six fours and five sixes in total.
There were half-centuries from Kusal Mendis (54 off 48) and Janith Liyanage (53 off 52) in a vastly improved Sri Lankan batting effort.
New Zealand seamer Matt Henry continued a fine series, claiming 4-55 to lift him to 150 ODI wickets, while captain Mitchell Santner took 2-55 with his spin.
