NZ VS SL 3RD ODI

Mitchell Santner now receives the shining trophy and heads toward his teammates who await their skipper for the commemorative photographs behind the winner's board. The Kiwi squad celebrates in jubilation and with this, a thrilling white-ball series concludes with New Zealand dominating Sri Lanka in both formats, securing 2-1 victories in the T20Is and ODIs. Looking ahead, New Zealand travels to Pakistan for an exciting triangular ODI series with Pakistan and South Africa, beginning their campaign against Pakistan at Multan on Saturday 8th February at 8:30 am GMT. As for Sri Lanka, they head home after their final ODI before the Champions Trophy to face the mighty Australians in two Test matches at Galle, commencing Wednesday 29th January at 4:30 am GMT. Cricket fans need not worry about any void, as several franchise tournaments are in full swing. The Big Bash League approaches its climax, while the SA20 and ILT20 are just getting started, alongside the Bangladesh Premier League at its full tilt. Feel free to follow all these exciting competitions. Until next time, goodbye and take care!

Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand skipper is up for a chat and says this is not the way they wanted to end the series but credit goes to Lanka for outplaying them. Mentions that they bowled really well in the Power Play and took their catches and that helped them massively. Reckons that they have to take it on the chin and keep going forward.

Charith Asalanka, the captain of Sri Lanka is up for a chat now. He says it is unfortunate that they lost the series but it is a pleasure to watch the boys making a comeback like this. Adds that these kind of wins give a lot of boost to their morale. Appreciates the New Zealand team and says that they played good cricket throughout the series. Ends by thanking the authorities and everyone involved in the smooth conduct, and goes on to thank them for their amazing hospitality.

Matt Henry is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES. He says it's a shame they did not get over the line but they are delighted to win the series. Mentions that there are lots of positives to take away from this season and they'll work on them.

Asitha Fernando is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his 3-wicket haul. Fernando responds in Sinhalese and Charith Asalanka is there to translate in English. He says that it's been a pleasure for him and this performance will provide him a huge confidence boost. Adds that they didn't do well in the first two games but they are delighted to win this last ODI. Mentions that they identified the areas to work and improve on. Ends by saying they will go back and work on those to get better day by day.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

Earlier, Sri Lanka's batting unit, led by half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Janith Liyanage, helped post 290. Kamindu Mendis narrowly missed out on a half-century, falling four runs short. Matt Henry's four-wicket haul was the highlight of New Zealand's bowling effort, with Mitchell Santner taking two wickets and Nathan Smith and Michael Bracewell claiming one each.

Sri Lanka's bowling was exceptional, with the bowlers displaying outstanding discipline. They received superb support from the fielders, who were snatching every half-chance that came their way. Asitha Fernando was the standout performer, claiming three crucial wickets at the top to leave the New Zealand batting unit reeling. Eshan Malinga and Maheesh Theekshana too took three each while Janith Liyanage took one as well.

Chasing down a big total the Kiwis never got going. The Sri Lankans were all over the hosts and they picked wickets regularly and did not allow the batters to settle even for a moment. Mark Chapman was the only one who showed some fight and managed to score 81 while the other just couldn't do anything significant. It took the Kiwis to wait till the 8th wicket to see a 50-run stand which was knitted by Mark Chapman and Nathan Smith.

Sri Lanka has ended the ODI series on a high note, mirroring their path from the T20I series. Sri Lanka have defeated New Zealand by 140 runs in the final match of this tour.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Theekshana wraps it up in style and a bittersweet end for Sri Lanka in this white-ball tour! Maheesh Theekshana stays around the stumps and darts it in on a fuller length, almost yorks and cramps the batter for room. Mark Chapman though sits down and looks to sweep it across. The ball lands and skids through quickly and goes off the toe-end of the bat and disturbs the furniture in a flash. SRI LANKA WIN BY 140 RUNS!

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Theekshana wraps it up in style and a bittersweet end for Sri Lanka in this white-ball tour! Maheesh Theekshana stays around the stumps and darts it in on a fuller length, almost yorks and cramps the batter for room. Mark Chapman though sits down and looks to sweep it across. The ball lands and skids through quickly and goes off the toe-end of the bat and disturbs the furniture in a flash. SRI LANKA WIN BY 140 RUNS!

FOUR! Into the 80s now is Chapman! Drags the length down does Maheesh Theekshana, on middle, Mark Chapman rocks back and pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary.

Oh, this one stays a tad bit low. Flatter and quicker outside off, Mark Chapman squats a bit to slog it away but misses to connect as the ball passes under his bat.

A good shot but Chapman denies a single there. Surely, he will like to play most of the balls now. Straight and flat around off, slashed away to deep cover.

Short again to the tall right-hander, on middle, William O'Rourke dodges this one as well.

WIDE! Dug in short and going down leg, William O'Rourke ducks under it. Wide called.