Cricket

Rain dashed New Zealand's hopes of a consolation victory against Sri Lanka, washing out the third and final One Day International (ODI) on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.Sri Lanka secured its fifth ODI series win at home this year after defeating the Black Caps in the first two rain-affected matches. New Zealand made a promising start in the series, reaching 112-1 in 21 overs before rain halted play. Will Young completed his half-century and remained unbeaten on 56, while Henry Nicholls finally found some form with an unbeaten 46.Both batters looked set to post a challenging total, sharing an 88-run stand off 106 balls. Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka timed a spectacular leap to perfection at mid-off, taking a stunning catch over his head to dismiss Tim Robinson for 9 in the fourth over.Rain deprived Sri Lanka of testing its bench strength after the host made five changes. Seam bowling allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe debuted but bowled only two overs for 14 runs. New Zealand brought in fast bowlers Zakary Foulkes, who made his ODI debut, and Adam Milne in place of Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy. Milne replaced Lockie Ferguson, who flew home after a calf injury during the preceding drawn Twenty20 series at Dambulla.The series served as preparation for New Zealand for next year's Champions Trophy, which Sri Lanka failed to qualify for by finishing ninth in last year's World Cup in India.

New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, have opted to bat first in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. The Black Caps are looking to avoid a series sweep after losing the first two matches.Sri Lanka, who have already secured the series win, have made five changes to their lineup. Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, and Asitha Fernando have all been dropped, while Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Mohamed Shiraz, and Chamindu Wickramasinghe have been brought in.New Zealand have also made two changes, with Zakary Foulkes and Adam Milne replacing Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy. Foulkes, who impressed in the T20 leg of the tour, will make his ODI debut.The weather forecast in Pallekele is not ideal, with rain expected at some point. However, conditions are currently hot and humid. The pitch is a new one and has more grass on it than the first two ODIs, which should favor the batters.Sri Lanka:1. Nishan Madushka2. Avishka Fernando3. Nuwanidu Fernando4. Sadeera Samarawickrama5. Charith Asalanka (capt.)6. Janith Liyanage7. Chamindu Wickramasinghe8. Maheesh Theekshana9. Jeffrey Vandersay10. Dilshan Madushanka11. Mohamed ShirazNew Zealand:1. Tim Robinson2. Will Young3. Henry Nicholls4. Mark Chapman5. Glenn Phillips6. Mitchell Hay (wk)7. Michael Bracewell8. Mitchell Santner (capt.)9. Zakary Foulkes10. Ish Sodhi11. Adam Milne

Sri Lanka and New Zealand are set to face off in the third and final ODI of their series in Pallekele. The hosts, led by Charith Asalanka, are aiming for a 3-0 series sweep, while the visitors, captained by Mitchell Santner, are determined to end the series on a high note.Asalanka expressed his team's desire to win the series but also acknowledged the importance of giving opportunities to new players. Five changes have been made to the Sri Lankan playing XI, including the ODI debut of Chamindu Wickramasinghe.Santner, on the other hand, believes the wicket looks better for batting than in the previous game. He emphasized the need for his team to post a strong total and defend it effectively. New Zealand has also made two changes, with Zakary Foulkes and Adam Milne replacing Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy, respectively.Pitch expert Farveez Maharoof noted that the pitch has improved for batting due to reduced cracks. He suggested that chasing might be the preferred option due to the dew factor and potential rain.

South Africa's Test captain, Temba Bavuma, has made a timely recovery from an elbow injury and will lead his team in the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. The Proteas have named a 14-man squad for the series, which also includes the return of Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee to the Test fold.Bavuma's return is a significant boost for South Africa, who are chasing their maiden World Test Championship (WTC) final appearance. The Proteas need to win all four Tests at home - two against Sri Lanka and two against Pakistan that follow - to be assured of a place in the title round. They could still make it, based on results elsewhere, with three wins out of four."We've picked the strongest possible side to ensure we stay competitive and keep our hopes alive for a place in the World Test Championship final," said head coach Shukri Conrad. "It's great to have Temba back leading the side after his recovery. His leadership and skill are invaluable to the team."Jansen and Coetzee have both worked hard during their conditioning programmes and are ready to contribute to the team. The trio of Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, and Wiaan Mulder will complete the pace-bowling options alongside Jansen and Coetzee.Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy are the two frontline spinners selected, while Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, and Kyle Verreynne provide batting depth.The two-Test series begins in Durban on November 27 before the teams move to Gqeberha for the second Test starting December 5.

Sri Lanka's dominance over New Zealand continued in the third ODI, as they secured a comprehensive victory to complete a historic 3-0 series whitewash. Under the guidance of legendary coach Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka has witnessed a remarkable resurgence in their cricket, and this series triumph stands as a testament to their newfound prowess.The match, played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, saw Sri Lanka bat first and post a formidable total of 283/9. Opener Pathum Nissanka led the charge with a brilliant 72, while Dhananjaya de Silva contributed a valuable 66. New Zealand's bowlers struggled to contain Sri Lanka's aggressive batting, with only Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell managing to take multiple wickets.In response, New Zealand's chase faltered from the outset. They lost early wickets and never managed to recover, eventually being bowled out for just 162. Sri Lanka's bowlers shared the spoils, with Kasun Rajitha, Chamika Karunaratne, and Maheesh Theekshana each claiming three wickets.The victory marks a significant milestone for Sri Lanka, as it is the first time they have ever whitewashed New Zealand in an ODI series. It also extends their winning streak to five consecutive ODIs, a testament to their newfound confidence and consistency.For New Zealand, the series defeat will serve as a wake-up call ahead of the upcoming T20I series. They will need to regroup and find a way to counter Sri Lanka's aggressive approach and potent bowling attack.

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 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."