Asitha took 3 wickets for 26 runs in the last ODI.
The Sri Lankan team defeated New Zealand by 140 runs in the last match of the 3-match ODI series. At Eden Park in Auckland, 3 batsmen from the team scored fifties and three bowlers also took 3-3 wickets.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka scored 290/8 with the help of fifties from Zenith Liyanage (53 runs), Pathum Nissanka (66 runs), Kusal Mendis (54 runs).
In reply, the Kiwi team was reduced to 150 runs in 29.4 overs. Mark Champman scored 81 runs. Three batsmen from the team could not even open their account. Asitha Fernando, Mahish Teekshana and Ishaan Malinga took 3 wickets each from Sri Lanka.
However, the series went to New Zealand 2-1. Asitha Fernando was named player of the match for her 3/26 in the third match. Matt Henry, who took 9 wickets in the ODI series, was made the Player of the Series.
Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis added 87 runs on 98 balls for the third wicket.
Fifty partnership for first and third wicket
Sri Lankan opener Nissanka left the field after getting injured.
Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando gave a great start. Together they made a score of 66/0 in 10 overs of the first powerplay. Nissanka scored 66 runs on 42 balls. He scored runs in the innings with a strike rate of 157.14 and 6 fours, 5 sixes.
Nissanka retired injured before Avishka was out on 17 runs. However, he came down after the fourth wicket. He was caught by Santner at the hands of Nathan Smith. Top order batsman Kusal Mendis played a brilliant innings and scored 54 runs. He made a partnership of 98 runs with Kamindu Mendis of 46 runs.
Lower order batsman Zenith Liyanage also batted well and scored 53 runs in 52 balls and during this he also hit 2 sixes and 3 fours.
Matt Henry 4 wickets
Martin Guptill, the highest run scorer in T-20I for New Zealand, arrives to watch the match with his family.
New Zealand lost despite Champman's fifty
The Kiwi batting line-up, which batted brilliantly in the first two matches, completely disintegrated this time. The team lost its 5 wickets for 21 runs. 7 batsmen from New Zealand could not even reach double figures.
Top order batsman Mark Champman, playing from one side, scored 81 runs on 81 balls. He also hit 10 fours and 1 six in the innings. In the second innings, Asitha Fernando, Mahish Teekshana and Ishaan Malinga took 3 wickets each for Sri Lanka and helped the team win.
In the Sri Lanka tour, the Kiwi team won the 3-match ODI and the same number of T-20 series by 2-1.
Graphics Source: NavJivanIndia | VaskarAssets
