Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs New Zealand - 3rd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25

Sri Lanka will be looking to end their tour of New Zealand by winning the upcoming third ODI. The final match of the three-match series is scheduled to be played on Saturday (January 11) at Eden Park, Auckland.

The visitors have already conceded the series after losing the first two games. They suffered a 9-wicket loss in the first game before New Zealand thrashed them by 113 runs (DLS method) in the second game to clinch the series.

Lanka were no match with both bat and ball in the must-win clash as New Zealand completely outplayed them. Batting first in the game that was reduced to 37 overs per side due to rain, the Black Caps rode on fifties from Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman to score 255/9.

In reply, Sri Lanka were all out for just 142 runs inside 31 overs. Kamindu Mendis was the only Sri Lankan batter to provide some resistance with the bat as he scored 64 runs. For New Zealand, William O'Rourke was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 31.

With Lanka now eyeing a face-saving in the third ODI, we are taking a look at the Sri Lanka Playing 11 for the upcoming game.

Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs New Zealand - 3rd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25:

Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando

Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando are set to be the openers in the Sri Lanka Playing 11 for the third ODI. Even though they failed to impress in the second game, they are expected to retain their spot in the Sri Lanka Playing 11.

Nissanka, who looked in good touch in the T20I series, has struggled to find his groove in the ODIs. The right-handed batsman was out for just 1 run. His partner, Avishka Fernando did not have the best outing with the bat either.

After scoring a fighting fifty in the first game, Fernando could not deliver with the bat in the must-win clash for his side. He was out for only 10 runs and will be keen to end the series on a good note.

Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga

Kusal Mendis once again disappointed with the bat. The Lanka star was out for only two runs and will be desperate to turn things around in the upcoming game.

Kamindu Mendis was the pick of the Lankan batsmen in the second game. While most of his teammates struggled to do well with the bat, Kamindu played a fine knock of 64 runs with the help of 5 fours and 3 sixes.

Captain Charith Asalanka could not lead his team from the front. He was run out for just 4 runs while trying to steal a quick single and will be looking to do well in the final match of the series.

Janith Liyanage and Chamindu Wickramasinghe got the starts with the bat but they could not capitalize on them. While Liyanage was out for 22 runs, Wickramasinghe departed for 17. With the ball, both the all-rounders went wicketless.

Lanka's star allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga did well with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 39 runs in 8 overs. With the bat, he scored just 1.

Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando

Lanka are expected to make one change to their bowling lineup for the upcoming game. Lahiru Kumara is expected to replace Eshan Malinga in the Sri Lanka Playing 11 for the third game. Malinga failed to do well in the second game and is likely to be benched.

Maheesh Theekshana picked up 4 wickets in the game including a hat-trick while Asitha Fernando picked up 1 wicket.