New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2018-19 Venue: Saxton Oval, Nelson Date & Time: Jan 08, 11:00 AM LOCAL

Henry Nicholls's maiden ODI ton helped New Zealand post a big total © AFP

That's a wrap:

Another loss for Sri Lanka, who only have the one-off T20I on Friday (January 11) to restore some pride. Join us then.

New Zealand complete clean-sweep:

Sodhi bags the last two wickets as Sri Lanka went down without much of a fight after Thisara was dismissed. A 115-run win for New Zealand helps them seal a 3-0 finish to the ODI series. Four wickets for Ferguson while Sodhi finishes with three in the game.

More wickets for Ferguson:

Southee holds on to a skier to send back Chameera for 1. Gunathilaka is bowled by Ferguson, who now has four. Sri Lanka are 249 for 8.

Thisara falls:

Put down twice after crossing his fifty, there's not much damage done as Guptill holds on to an excellent catch to send back Thisara for 80 off 63. Backing away to play an upper cut off Ferguson, Thisara miscued it and Guptill dived back to hold on to a stunning one-handed catch. Sri Lanka 244 for 6 in the 39th over.

50 FOR THISARA: He gets there off 43 balls and has kept Sri Lanka in the game. Will we see a repeat of the performance at the Bay Oval? He needs support ...

Kusal Perera departs:

A review wasted by Sri Lanka as Kusal Perera departs for 43. Looking to swing across the line to a Ferguson delivery, the batsman got an inside edge and was caught by the 'keeper. Hotspot and snicko confirm the same, leaving Sri Lanka at 143 for 5 after 23.

And another:

Dasun Shanaka is the next to depart, trapped in front by Ish Sodhi after missing a sweep. Sri Lanka slip to 117 for 4. Over to the Pereras now - Kusal who scored a ton in the first ODI and Thisara in the second. Can they revive Sri Lanka's chase?

Quick wickets:

Having been hit for a six in the 15th over, Neesham comes back well to dismiss Dickwella for 46 off 37. Looking to swing over cover, the batsman ends up giving Ferguson a catch at third-man. In the next over, Kusal Mendis is run out at the striker's end, departing without facing a single ball. A touch and go decision but the third umpire felt Richard Illingworth feels the bat was on the line. Sri Lanka are 107 for 3.

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Malinga strikes early:

Having troubled both the openers in the opening over, Malinga strikes in his second over to remove Guptill for 2. Pushing at a ball outside off, the opener gets an edge to Mendis at gully. Meanwhile, there have been a few boundaries too - three for Munro off Chameera and one for Williamson off Malinga, the last two being edges. New Zealand are 20 for 1 after 3.

Toss and teams:

Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga wins the toss and opts to bowl. Three changes for the visitors - Dinesh Chandimal, Asela Gunaratne and Seekkuge Prasanna out; Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva and Dushmantha Chameera in. The hosts make one change, bringing in Lockie Ferguson for Trent Boult.

New Zealand (Playing XI): Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Tim Seifert (wk), Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga (c), Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera

Build-up:

Hello and welcome to the Live Blog for the third and final ODI of the series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the Saxton Oval in Nelson. Two losses and two spirited performances in that. But more than the fight displayed by Kusal Perera in the first game and Thisara Perera in the second, the lack of strong contributions from the rest of the batting order resulted in Sri Lanka's ODI series loss. In search of a consolation win, their task is simple - the batting unit should fire in unison and they need to find a way to control the leaking runs at the death.

For New Zealand, the final ODI presents an opportunity to finalise their combination for the following limited-over series against India. It's also a chance to prove to themselves that the five catches dropped in the second ODI was a one-off incident that shouldn't be frowned upon too much - although it did give Sri Lanka and Thisara Perera opportunities to get really close to the target.

Read more in the preview for the third game