Sri Lanka completed a 2-0 series win over New Zealand in the three-match ODI series after the third and final game was called of due to rain on Tuesday, November 19 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. Being 0-2 down in the series, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bat first. However, their innings was halted at 112/1 in 21 overs as inclement weather interrupted the play.
The heavy showers didn’t stop forcing the umpires to call off the game without any result. Hence, Sri Lanka won the series by 2-0 having won the first two ODIs in Dambulla and Pallekele. As a result, Sri Lanka registered their fifth ODI series victory in 2024 and third consecutive after earlier having beating India (2-0) and West Indies (2-1) at home.
SL vs NZ 3rd ODI Highlights
Kusal Mendis was adjudged Player of the Series finishing as the highest run scorer across three games with 217 runs to his name from two innings. Mendis began the series with a breathtaking knock of 143 (128) in the first ODI as he clobbered 17 fours and two sixes. Courtesy of his innings, Sri Lanka posted a massive score of 324/5 in the first innings and went on to win the match by 45 runs via DLS method.
Sri Lanka won five out of six ODI series in 2024
Later in the second ODI, Mendis was once again the top scorer from Sri Lanka as he played a brilliant innings of 74* (102) and helped his team chase down 210 earning his second consecutive Player of the Match award. As a result, Sri Lanka won the second ODI by three wickets and six balls remaining and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
On the other hand, Maheesh Theekshana (5 wickets) and Michael Bracewell (5 wickets) finished as the highest wicket-taker of the series. Meanwhile, the series win capped off a successful year for Sri Lanka who lost just one rubber out of six which came against Bangladesh in March away from home.
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