Cricket

Sri Lanka's cricket board has announced that star batsman Kusal Mendis and three other key players will be rested for the third and final one-day international (ODI) against New Zealand on Tuesday. The decision comes after Sri Lanka secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.Mendis, who has been in scintillating form, scoring 143 in the rain-shortened first ODI and an unbeaten 74 in the second, will be given a break to recover and prepare for the upcoming Test series in South Africa. Joining him on the sidelines will be Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, and Pathum Nissanka."The decision was taken by the selectors to give the above players adequate time to recover and prepare for the upcoming Test series in South Africa," Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.In their place, top-order batsmen Nuwanidu Fernando and Lahiru Udara, as well as fast bowler Eshan Malinga, have been added to the squad. Fernando and Udara will be looking to make their ODI debuts, while Malinga, a veteran of 226 ODIs, will be aiming to add to his tally of 338 wickets in the format.Sri Lanka will be aiming to complete a clean sweep of the series in the final ODI at Pallekele. The hosts have been in impressive form, with Mendis leading the way with his batting exploits. However, New Zealand will be determined to avoid a whitewash and will be looking to their experienced players, such as captain Kane Williamson and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, to step up.The Test series against South Africa is scheduled to begin on March 31, and Sri Lanka will be keen to give their key players a chance to rest and recharge before the challenge of facing the Proteas.

Sri Lanka, the current series leaders, opted to field first in the second ODI against New Zealand at Pallekele. The decision was influenced by the likelihood of dew in the evening, which could make batting easier later on. New Zealand, on the other hand, were undecided about their preferred choice but were content to bat first on a favorable track.Both teams made minimal changes to their lineups. New Zealand retained their unchanged XI, while Sri Lanka replaced seamer Dilshan Madushanka with spin-bowling allrounder Dunith Wellalage. This move reflects the spin-friendly nature of the Pallekele pitch, with both sides opting for just one frontline seam option.The match commenced on a hot and humid afternoon, with a possibility of rain in the evening. However, the weather is not expected to significantly impact the outcome. Sri Lanka has a strong record at Pallekele, having won seven of their last eight ODIs there. Notably, the last four matches at this venue have been won by the chasing team.Sri Lanka:1. Pathum Nissanka2. Avishka Fernando3. Kusal Mendis (wk)4. Sadeera Samarawickrama5. Charith Asalanka (capt.)6. Kamindu Mendis7. Janith Liyanage8. Dunith Wellalage9. Maheesh Theekshana10. Jeffrey Vandersay11. Asitha FernandoNew Zealand:1. Tim Robinson2. Will Young3. Hentry Nicholls4. Mark Chapman5. Glenn Phillips6. Mitchell Hay (wk)7. Michael Bracewell8. Mitchell Santner (capt.)9. Nathan Smith10. Ish Sodhi11. Jacob Duffy

Sri Lanka Dominate New Zealand in Second ODI, Sealing Convincing VictoryIn a rain-affected second ODI at Pallekele, Sri Lanka emerged victorious, extending their lead in the three-match series. Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that proved advantageous.The New Zealand innings got off to a shaky start as they lost early wickets. Will Young and Tim Robinson were dismissed cheaply, leaving the visitors reeling at 20/2. Henry Nicholls and Mark Chapman attempted to rebuild the innings, but their efforts were cut short by the Sri Lankan bowlers.Sri Lanka's spinners, Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay, played a crucial role in restricting New Zealand's scoring. Theekshana claimed three wickets, while Vandersay picked up two. Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips provided some resistance, but the New Zealand innings eventually folded for a modest 185 runs in 43.1 overs.In response, Sri Lanka's openers, Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando, gave their team a solid start. Nissanka scored a fluent 55, while Fernando contributed 32. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama also made valuable contributions, helping Sri Lanka reach their target with ease.Sri Lanka chased down the total in just 34.3 overs, losing only three wickets. Charith Asalanka remained unbeaten on 38, while Kamindu Mendis chipped in with 27.The victory gives Sri Lanka a 2-0 lead in the series, with the final ODI scheduled to be played on August 1.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand will clash in the second ODI of their three-match series on Sunday, November 17, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The hosts, Sri Lanka, hold a 1-0 lead after securing a 45-run victory in the series opener.In the first ODI, Sri Lanka posted a formidable 324-5 in 49.2 overs, thanks to Kusal Mendis' career-best 143 and Avishka Fernando's 100. New Zealand, chasing a revised target of 221 off 27 overs due to rain, fell short at 175-9.New Zealand will be eager to level the series and will look to their experienced players, including captain Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, and Trent Boult, to lead the charge. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will aim to maintain their momentum and secure a series victory.The match will begin at 02:30 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for 02:00 PM IST. It will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website, as well as the FanCode app and website.Sri Lanka's victory in the first ODI was a significant boost for the team, which has struggled in recent months. Mendis and Fernando's centuries were crucial in setting up the win, while the bowlers, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, performed admirably.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance in the first match. They will need to improve their batting and bowling if they want to level the series.The second ODI promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams. Sri Lanka will be confident after their victory in the first match, while New Zealand will be determined to bounce back and level the series.

Sri Lanka's victory in the first ODI against New Zealand was a testament to their bowlers' resilience and adaptability. Despite a strong start from New Zealand's openers, Sri Lanka's bowlers managed to turn the tide and secure a 45-run victory via the DLS method.Kusal Mendis, who scored a career-best 143, was named Player of the Match. However, it was the bowlers who laid the foundation for Sri Lanka's success. Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, and Maheesh Theekshana faced a challenging situation after heavy rain during the innings break. The wet ball and outfield made it difficult for them to control the run rate.Theekshana eventually provided the breakthrough with a double-strike in the 14th over, removing both openers. Charith Asalanka then struck in consecutive overs, reducing New Zealand from 88 for 0 to 100 for 4. Asalanka's bowling exploits have become increasingly valuable for Sri Lanka, as he has picked up nine wickets in his last nine ODIs.Sri Lanka's decision to go with just four frontline bowlers was justified by Asalanka's performance. The trio of Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Janith Liyanage provides Sri Lanka with flexibility in their bowling options.While the long-term feasibility of this strategy remains questionable, Sri Lanka is currently content with trialing out their current combination. The bowlers' ability to adapt to challenging conditions and execute their plans effectively was crucial in their victory against New Zealand.

New Zealand's recent ODI loss to Sri Lanka in Dambulla may have been a setback, but it provided valuable lessons for the young Kiwi squad. With three debutants in the lineup, the match offered an opportunity to observe and learn from the hosts' mastery of unfamiliar conditions.Michael Bracewell, one of the debutants, emphasized the importance of adapting to the unique challenges of playing in Sri Lanka. "The conditions here are very different from what we face back home," he said. "We need to bank these experiences and learn from them to become better players."Sri Lanka's openers, Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando, showcased their expertise on a sluggish pitch, amassing a 206-run partnership that set the tone for the match. Bracewell acknowledged the significance of partnerships, noting that the Mendis-Fernando duo's contribution "changed the game."Despite a promising start from New Zealand's openers, Will Young and Tim Robinson, the chase faltered after their dismissals. Bracewell, who remained unbeaten on 34, expressed regret over not taking the game on earlier. "I could have taken the game on a little bit earlier," he said. "We didn't quite time the chase very well."The match highlighted the challenges of batting on Sri Lankan wickets, where spin is often dominant. However, Bracewell emphasized that batters can still succeed on such surfaces. "The batters played really well," he said. "We'll have to keep coming up with different answers and throwing different things at the Sri Lankan batters throughout the series."

In a rain-interrupted first One-Day International (ODI) at Dambulla, Sri Lanka secured a convincing 45-run victory over New Zealand, thanks to centuries from Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando.Mendis, 29, struck a career-best 143, while Fernando hit 100 as Sri Lanka posted a commanding 324-5 in 49.2 overs before rain halted play. New Zealand, chasing a revised target of 221 off 27 overs, were restricted to 175-9 in the day-night game.The Kiwis started off confidently with an 88-run stand between openers Will Young and Tim Robinson. However, Maheesh Theekshana triggered a collapse, dismissing both openers in quick succession. From there on, the visitors struggled to keep up with the required run rate, losing wickets in clumps.Earlier, Mendis and Fernando stitched together a 206-run stand for the second wicket, the highest partnership for any wicket at Dambulla in ODIs. Mendis' 128-ball knock was studded with 17 fours and two sixes, while Fernando's 115-ball innings included nine fours and two sixes.Sri Lanka's batters seized control after captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to bat first. Opener Pathum Nissanka was dismissed early, but Mendis and Fernando made the most of the conditions. The New Zealand spinners struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batsmen, who kept the scoreboard ticking at over 6.5 runs per over.Rain halted play just one ball into Sri Lanka's innings, causing a 39-minute delay. Downpours returned with four balls left in the Sri Lankan innings.The ODI action will next move to Pallekele where the remaining two games of the series will be played on Sunday and Tuesday.

Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC ODI bowler rankings, while Babar Azam continues to dominate as the world's leading ODI batter. Afridi's impressive performances against Australia, where he claimed eight wickets at an average of 12.62, propelled him past Kuldeep Yadav, Rashid Khan, and Keshav Maharaj. This marks the second time Afridi has reached the summit of the ODI bowling rankings, having briefly held the position during the 2023 ODI World Cup.Afridi's seam-bowling partner, Haris Rauf, also made significant progress, moving up 14 places to 13th after bagging 10 wickets in the ODI series against Australia. Naseem Shah also climbed 14 spots to a career-best 55th.In the ODI batting rankings, Babar Azam extended his lead with scores of 37, 15*, and 28* against Australia. He remains well ahead of the Indian trio of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli, who occupy the second, third, and fourth positions, respectively.The ODI all-rounder rankings saw significant movement following the ODI series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Player of the Series Mohammad Nabi retained his top spot, while Rashid Khan moved up to third. Azmatullah Omarzai's strong showing pushed him two places up to No. 9, giving Afghanistan three players in the top 10. Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz jumped four places to No. 4 after taking three wickets and scoring 66 in the third ODI.In T20Is, Wanindu Hasaranga's series haul of 6 for 37 against New Zealand lifted him four places to second spot among the bowlers, behind only England's Adil Rashid. Akeal Hosein's economical performance against England earned him third place, while Ravi Bishnoi's four scalps in two games against South Africa moved him up one spot to No. 7.Among batters, the England pair of Phil Salt (second) and Jos Buttler (sixth), alongside West Indies' Nicholas Pooran (10th), all moved up one place each in the batting rankings after two games in the five-match series in the Caribbean. From the ongoing South Africa vs India T20I series, Sanju Samson continued his rise in the batting ranks. A second successive T20I century for the India opener, this time a 50-ball 107 in the first game, saw him leapfrog 27 positions to 39th. The South African duo of Reeza Hendricks (up two places to 12th) and Tristan Stubbs (up 12 spots to 26th) also made headway on the T20I batting charts that is still led by Travis Head. Salt and Suryakumar Yadav round off the top three.

Sri Lanka's captain, Charith Asalanka, opted to bat first in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Dambulla. Asalanka anticipated the pitch to deteriorate for batting as the match progressed. New Zealand's skipper, Mitchell Santner, expressed indifference towards bowling first, citing the potential for rain and a wet outfield later in the evening.New Zealand introduced three debutants into their lineup: opening batter Tim Robinson, wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay, and seam-bowling allrounder Nathan Smith. Adam Milne, who replaced the injured Lockie Ferguson, was unavailable for selection due to his late arrival in the country. Jacob Duffy and the spin quartet of Ish Sodhi, Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips provided the bowling options.Sri Lanka welcomed back left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka. However, they suffered an injury setback with Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out. Jeffrey Vandersay took his place in the XI. The top seven Sri Lankan batsmen offer additional bowling depth, with Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Janith Liyanage capable of contributing overs.