Live Score

7:38 PM: Almost ten minutes after the previous update, it has started drizzling again! The wait continues.

7:47 PM IST & Local Time| The Umpires have had enough. The players are shaking hands as the match has been called off due to rain.

So here is a short recap of what happened in the third and final ODI of the series. Sri Lanka rested their senior players for this fixture in order to keep themselves fresh for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. 5 changes were made by the Lankans while the Kiwis made a couple of changes. Zak Foulkes & Chamindu Wickramasinghe made their ODI Debuts tonight.

Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bat first without any hesitation. It was a really positive start from the Blackcaps as Will Young got their side to a quick fire start with the bat. Tim Robinson (9) was dismissed for a low score as Charith Asalanka grabbed a stunning catch at mid-off.

Will Young (56*) was joined by Henry Nicholls (46*) at the middle as the pair added 88 unbeaten runs for the 2nd wicket before the rain gods interrupted the game. New Zealand were 112/1 at the end of 21 overs as it started to rain. The players went off and never came back as it continued to pour down at Pallekele. 

We were hopeful for a shortened game but after waiting for almost 4 hours, the Umpire's decided to call it off.  So Sri Lanka clinch yet another ODI Series at Home in 2024. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!

A Successful Home Season in ODIs for Sri Lanka:

v Zimbabwe - WON (2-0)

v Afghanistan - WON (3-0)

v India - WON (2-0)

v West Indies - WON (2-1)

v New Zealand - WON (2-0)*

8:21 PM: Time for the Post-Match Presentation.

Player of the Series: Kusal Mendis

Mitchell Santner (New Zealand Captain): "Yeah I guess for us it was always a challenge to come out here and play some good cricket. It was a pretty good wicket but shame that we couldn't continue with the game after getting a good start with the bat.

Yeah, Will and Nicholls batted really well today. The partnership was building up nicely and it was a much better wicket but sadly we couldn't get anymore play.

Yeah, I really enjoyed my captaincy role here with the boys. Lot of young boys in the group but really liked the energy in each and everyone of them.

Yes we have a really important series coming up. Looking forward to it."

Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka Captain): "Really pleased with that performance. Its not easy to win consecutive 5 series. We played at home, but still not easy.

Myself and coach need consistency. We want to give players a chance to perform. And that's the way we are going forward. Its a settled lineup. We can still improve a lot of things going forward.

I am enjoying captaincy because I believe that I have to enjoy everything. This series has lots of positives. Kusal Mendis, the bowlers and the fielding unit did a remarkable job. The fielders converted a lot of half chances.

Hard work and Upul Chandana both helped. Boys are working really hard and the coach is doing a fantastic job as well."

Charith Asalanka now collects the winners trophy and hands it over to Jeffrey Vandersay. The photoshoots begin as Sri Lanka clinch the ODI series 2-0.

That’s all we have for you from the live coverage between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. A disappointing end to the ODI Series as rain played spoilsport. It has been a sensational year for Sri Lanka at Home in this format who have won all the series.

Back to red ball cricket for both the teams. Sri Lanka will now travel to South Africa for a 2-match Test series starting from 27th November and it is a really crucial series for both the teams keeping the WTC Points Table in mind. The Blackcaps return back home for a 3-match Test series against England starting from 28th November. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world.

For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Ninaad Dixit who, along with scorers/analysts Yogesh Kumar & Ashok Dayma brought all the actions of this clash. BYE BYE👋