Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Monday (November 18) announced that four key players, including in-form batsman Kusal Mendis, will not take part in the third and final ODI against New Zealand. With the ongoing three-match ODI series already over 2-0, Sri Lanka are looking for a clean sweep while also giving opportunities to new faces against New Zealand.
The third and final ODI match will take place on Tuesday, November 19 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, with the Sri Lanka cricket team aiming for a dominant 3-0 win against the Black Caps at home.
Kusal Mendis among four Sri Lankan stars rested for final ODI against New Zealand
The Islanders won the first ODI by 45 runs and then recorded a three-wicket win to clinch the historic ODI series victory over the New Zealand cricket team.
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Notably, the first and second ODIs were affected by rain, but the hosts managed to deliver winning performances in both games to win the memorable series against the Kiwis. Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis, who played a key role in Sri Lanka’s historic ODI series victory over the Black Caps, will be rested alongside Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando and Pathum Nissanka.
Mendis played a stellar knock of 143 runs in the first match of the three-match ODI series and an unbeaten 74 in the rain-hit second ODI against New Zealand. 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) rests key players to ensure full recovery ahead of South Africa Test series
To fill the void, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has called up top-order batsmen Nuwanidu Fernando and Lahiru Udara, along with young talent Eshan Malinga. With the ODI series now in the bag, the hosts are giving emerging players a chance to showcase their skills in the final ODI match and give senior players a rest ahead of the South Africa Tests.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement: “The selectors took the decision to give the above players adequate time to recover and prepare for the upcoming Test series in South Africa.”
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Sri Lanka achieves multiple milestones with New Zealand ODI series win
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has achieved an important milestone as they clinched their first ODI series against New Zealand since November 2012. This win extends Sri Lanka team’s unbeaten streak in bilateral ODI series at home to 10. It was his tenth in a row. Bilateral ODI series win at home since their loss to India in July 2021.
Additionally, it marked the Islanders’ sixth consecutive victory in the bilateral ODI series at home, setting a new record for their longest winning streak in 50-over cricket, surpassing their previous best of five between 1997 and 2003.
Notably, Mendis had won the Player of the Match award for his winning knock in the second ODI despite battling a groin injury. Kusal Mendis said in the post-match presentation: “I think the injury is fine now. It was very difficult to bat with the new ball. Pathum started very well and his 28 runs were very important.
I had to take some risks and Dunith and Maheesh batted very well to support me. In the second half there were more effects and the dew arrived quite late. I enjoyed playing in these conditions. It was a little difficult to play with my injury; “I couldn’t run any doubles.”