The third and final match of the ODI series in between New Zealand and Sri Lanka it ended with the Islanders winning the game by 140 runs. A solid display from the visitors with the bat and an outstanding bowling performance Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando and Maheesh Theekshana sealed Sri Lanka’s victory. The trio took 3 wickets each, which eventually proved too much for the home side and they halted their series at just 150 runs in 29.4 overs.
The only glimmer of hope for the Blackcaps was Mark Chapman. However, the dynamic opener could not do much amid poor support from other New Zealand batsmen and failed to turn the tide for the Blackcaps. However, the win is just a constellation reward for Sri Lanka as the home team has already clinched the ODI series by winning the first two matches.
A determined effort from Sri Lanka with the bat
Sri Lanka looked confident from the start of the match. The visitors won the toss and batted first. The decision proved valuable because Pathum Nissanka and superb dough Kusal Mendis gave Sri Lanka a solid start. Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyange they were next to stabilize the Sri Lankan innings. Dedicated batting from these Sri Lankan batsmen helped Sri Lanka score 290 runs in 50 overs.
Matt Henry he appeared for the New Zealand bowling unit. The ace Blackcaps pacer took 4 wickets for his team and achieved a historic milestone by taking 150 wickets in his ODI career.
Terrible display from the New Zealand batsmen
In response, the New Zealand batsmen put on a horror show with the bat. It started with the openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra dismissed early, leaving the Blackcaps two wickets down by just 4 runs. The entire New Zealand middle order completely collapsed which further worried the Blackcaps.
The New Zealand lower order tried to support Chapman who was the only traditional batsman to withstand the onslaught of the Sri Lankan pace attack. Chapman’s 81-run knock made him a knight in shining armor of an already bowled New Zealand innings. However, even Chapman could not save the home side from the historic humiliation of being the last batsman to be dismissed by the Sri Lankan pacers. This is the second largest margin of victory by Sri Lanka against New Zealand in the ODI format, the largest being a 189-run victory in Auckland in 2007.
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Here’s how Twitter reacted
I’m pretty sure the loss will somehow be Chapman’s fault and Latham will avoid scrutiny for another setback. I’m also sure we’ll leave Chapman and Hay out of the squad, because ‘experience’… #nzvsl
— Simon Wood (@WoodOnWineNZ) January 11, 2025
If there was a league to win dead tires, we’d be world champions, wouldn’t we? 🇱🇰#NZvSL
— Kithmina Hewage (@khewage1) January 11, 2025
Largest margin of victory (in terms of runs) in ODIs between Sri Lanka and New Zealand:
189 – Auckland 2007
140 – Auckland 2025
112 – Mumbai 2011 (WC)
106 – Sharjah 2001
106 – Colombo (SSC) 2001#NZvSL— Arthur_S (@allanholloway) January 11, 2025
Too bad Sri Lanka don’t want to play Champions Trophy!! One of the most improved teams in the last 8 months!! On current performance they deserve to be there more than Bangladesh!! #2025 Champions Trophy #NZvSL
— 🇵🇰 | Hassan™🏏🎮 (@HassanEmpire007) January 11, 2025
Okay, I’ve been a fan of SL for as long as I’ve known about cricket. And frankly with their history as a touring team overseas, I didn’t give them a chance in this series expecting them to go 6-0 in all formats. So I’m extremely pleased with how they turned out.#NZvSL
— Riwaj (@ReiwazAdh) January 11, 2025
First ODI win for SL in NZ after 9 years and after 10 games without a win
The last victory was on December 31, 2015Asitha Fernando should be MOTM
That Nissanka 50 off 31 in PP when the ball was doing everything was spectacularly special #NZvSL— RENESSANN (@RENESSANN) January 11, 2025
Mark Chapman the latest to be dismissed for 81
New Zealand All out for 150
Sri Lanka win by 140 runs, NZ win the series 2-1 #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/HB8CKiTFb9
— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) January 11, 2025
This is a good recovery from #SriLanka This man, Sanath Jayasuriya, is trying to bring a 90’s Sri Lankan flavor to the team. #NZvsSL
— Harish Sridhar (@timelesscricket) January 11, 2025
Credit is credit, so well done Sri Lanka for giving us a hiding tonight but @THE BLACK HATS seriously…🤔🤔
— Brendon Corlett 🇳🇿 (@BrendonCorlett1) January 11, 2025
29* 62 and 81
What a performance from Mark Chapman, the leading scorer of this series. 🏅#NZvsSL pic.twitter.com/opqS6Hcn7B
— 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐥𝐜𝐤𝐜𝐩𝐩𝐬 🇳🇿 (@Kiwiscricketfan) January 11, 2025
Also read: Top 5 highest run scorers for New Zealand in WTC 2023-25 with Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra
