Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Monday (November 18) that four key players, including in-form Kusal Mendis, will be ruled out of the third and final ODI against New Zealand. With the ongoing three-match ODI series Sri Lanka, already 2-0 up, are eyeing a clean sweep against New Zealand as they provide opportunities for fresh faces.
The third and final ODI match will be played on Tuesday, November 19 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, with the Sri Lankan Cricket Team aiming for a dominant 3-0 clean sweep against the Black Caps at home.
Among the four Sri Lankan stars, Kusal Mendis was rested for the final ODI against New Zealand
The Islanders won the first ODI by 45 runs and then cruised to a three-wicket victory over the New Zealand cricket team to clinch a historic ODI series win.
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Notably, though the first and second ODIs were affected by rain, the hosts managed to put up successful performances in both games to win a memorable series against the Kiwis. Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis, who played a key role in Sri Lanka’s historic ODI series win over the Black Caps, will also be rested with him. Kamindu Mendis, We hate Fernandoand Pathum Nissanka.
Mendis scored a brilliant knock of 143 runs in the opener of the three-match ODI series and an unbeaten 74 runs against New Zealand in the rain-hit second ODI. However, Kusal Mendis will be rested for the third and final ODI against the Kiwis along with Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando and Pathum Nissanka.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is resting key players to ensure full recovery ahead of the South Africa Test series
To fill the gap, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has called up top batsmen Nuwanidu Fernando and Lahiru Udara along with young pace talent Eshan Malinga. With the ODI series already in the bag, the hosts are giving the developing players a chance to showcase their skills in the final ODI match and rest the senior players ahead of the South Africa Tests.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a release: “The selectors have decided to reinstate the above players and give them adequate time to prepare for the upcoming Test series in South Africa.”
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Sri Lanka achieved many milestones with their ODI series victory over New Zealand
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka reached a significant milestone as they won their first ODI series against New Zealand since November 2012. The win extended Sri Lanka’s unbeaten run in bilateral ODI series at home to 10. It was their tenth in a row. bilateral ODI series at home since they lost to India in July 2021.
Furthermore, it marked the Islanders’ sixth consecutive bilateral ODI series win on home soil, beating the previous best of five between 1997 and 2003, setting a new record for the longest winning streak in 50-over cricket.
Notably, Mendis won the Man of the Match award for his match-winning knock in the second ODI despite battling a groin injury. Kusal Mendis said in the post-game presentation: “I think the injury is fine now. It was very difficult to hit the new ball. Pathum started really well and his 28 runs were crucial.
I had to take some chances and Dunith and Maheesh batted really well to support me. There was more spin in the second half and the dew came quite late. I enjoyed playing in these conditions. It was a bit difficult to play with the injury; “I could not run in any double.”
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