➡️ New Zealand vs Sri Lanka :
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 3rd odi
🔷🔹Sri Lanka, having already secured the series victory, opted for a refreshed approach in the dead rubber third ODI by making five changes to their playing XI. This strategic rotation allowed the team to test their bench strength and provide opportunities to players who had been waiting in the wings./3rd odi
⏩ The weather in Pallekele adds an unpredictable layer to the third ODI, with rain expected later in the day. For now, conditions are hot and humid, creating a challenging environment for the players. The match is being played on a fresh pitch that has more grass compared to the previous two ODIs, offering better conditions for batters.
⏩ New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged this at the toss, explaining that the improved batting surface influenced their decision to bat first. However, dew is expected to come into play in the evening, which could complicate matters for bowlers later in the game./3rd odi
🔷🔹Team Lineups:
🔷🔹Sri Lanka:
⏩ Sri Lanka have opted for several changes, showcasing their squad depth in this dead-rubber fixture. The team features Nishan Madushka and Nuwanidu Fernando at the top, followed by Sadeera Samarawickrama and captain Charith Asalanka leading the middle order./3rd odi
⏩ Allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe makes his debut, adding balance to the lineup. The bowling attack is spearheaded by Dilshan Madushanka, Mohamed Shiraz, and spin duo Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay.
🔷🔹Playing XI:
🔹1. Nishan Madushka
🔹2. Avishka Fernando
🔹3. Nuwanidu Fernando
🔹4. Sadeera Samarawickrama
🔹5. Charith Asalanka (c)
🔹6. Janith Liyanage
🔹7. Chamindu Wickramasinghe
🔹8. Maheesh Theekshana
🔹9. Jeffrey Vandersay
🔹10. Dilshan Madushanka
🔹11. Mohamed Shiraz
🔷🔹New Zealand:
⏩ New Zealand has also made changes, with Zakary Foulkes making his debut after an impressive T20 series. Adam Milne joins him to strengthen the bowling attack. Tim Robinson and Will Young open the batting, while the experienced Henry Nicholls and Mark Chapman add stability to the top order. Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Hay bolster the middle order, supported by allrounders Michael Bracewell and skipper Mitchell Santner.3rd/odi
🔷🔹Playing XI:
🔹1. Tim Robinson
🔹2. Will Young
🔹3. Henry Nicholls
🔹4. Mark Chapman
🔹5. Glenn Phillips
🔹6. Mitchell Hay (wk)
🔹7. Michael Bracewell
🔹8. Mitchell Santner (c)
🔹9. Zakary Foulkes
🔹10. Ish Sodhi
🔹11. Adam Milne
⏩ With fresh faces and a pitch expected to favor batters early on, the stage is set for an exciting contest despite the looming threat of rain. Both teams will look to capitalize on the conditions to finish the series on a strong note.
⏩ Sri Lanka, under the leadership of Charith Asalanka, is set to face Mitchell Santner’s New Zealand in the third and final ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium this Sunday./3rd odi
⏩ Sri Lanka has already secured the three-match series with a dominant 2-0 lead as they head into the final ODI at Pallekele on Tuesday. The first match, held in Dambulla, saw Sri Lanka claim a 45-run victory in a rain-affected encounter. In the second ODI, also impacted by rain, Kusal Mendis played a crucial knock, scoring an unbeaten 74. His patient innings guided Sri Lanka to a three-wicket win via the DLS method, with six balls to spare./3rd odi