Sri Lanka’s dominant 140-run victory over New Zealand in the third ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, not only ended a near-decade-long drought in New Zealand but also provided them with a much-needed morale boost. This triumph marked Sri Lanka’s first ODI win in New Zealand since January 2015 and came at a crucial time, as they had already lost the series. Despite conceding the series to the Black Caps, the visitors celebrated a resounding win in the final match, showing that they could compete at the highest level. For Sri Lanka, this victory was a testament to their resilience and solid team performance, which they will carry forward into their future international commitments.
Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first, putting up a competitive total of 290/8 in their 50 overs. Pathum Nissanka was the star with the bat, playing a brisk knock of 66 off 42 balls, which helped lay a strong foundation for the team. His aggressive approach was followed by more composed knocks from Kusal Mendis (54 off 48 balls) and Janith Liyanage (53 off 52 balls). The trio’s contributions were crucial in pushing the Sri Lankan total beyond the 290-run mark. However, New Zealand’s Matt Henry was exceptional with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 55 runs in his 10-over spell, putting the brakes on Sri Lanka’s progress. Mitchell Santner also made his mark, picking up 2 wickets for 55 runs, helping his team stay in the game. Despite the loss of a few wickets in the latter stages, Sri Lanka capitalized on the small boundaries at Eden Park, ensuring that they finished with a competitive total.
New Zealand’s chase began disastrously, as Sri Lanka’s bowlers hit the ground running. Maheesh Theekshana removed Will Young in the second over, and from there, it was a masterclass in swing and precision by Asitha Fernando. The 25-year-old Fernando’s brilliance dismantled New Zealand’s top order, as he took three wickets in quick succession. By the end of the powerplay, New Zealand found themselves in a dire position at 21/5, with the game slipping away from them. Fernando’s outstanding spell, in which he finished with figures of 3/26 from 7 overs, was a turning point in the match.
Theekshana continued to cause problems for New Zealand, taking 3 wickets for 35 runs in 7.4 overs, and Eshan Malinga joined the fray, finishing with the same figures, offering excellent control and variation. Janith Liyanage also played his part, claiming the crucial wicket of Michael Bracewell, who was the only New Zealand batter to offer any resistance. By the time New Zealand’s innings ended at 150, only Mark Chapman stood out, scoring a valiant 81 off 81 balls. His composed knock, full of clean hitting and resilience, was the sole positive for New Zealand in an otherwise forgettable outing. Chapman’s efforts, though admirable, were not enough to avoid a heavy defeat.
The collapse of New Zealand’s top order was staggering. Four of their top six batters combined to score just three runs, an alarming statistic that will surely be a concern for their coaching staff. New Zealand’s batting order crumbled under pressure, raising questions about their preparations ahead of the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa. Their inability to recover from early setbacks could serve as a crucial lesson in resilience as they head into the next series and look toward the Champions Trophy later in the year.
While the match was one-sided, New Zealand did find some solace in their bowling performance. Matt Henry’s 4-wicket haul was a standout effort, ensuring that Sri Lanka did not amass an even larger total. His contributions were critical in restricting Sri Lanka’s progress after they had gotten off to a strong start. Michael Bracewell also delivered an economical spell, while Mitchell Santner’s effective use of spin demonstrated New Zealand’s adaptability to different conditions. His performance hints at strategies New Zealand may look to employ on subcontinental pitches in the coming months, where spin will be more prominent. These small positives will help the Black Caps as they prepare for the tougher challenges ahead.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s performance was a well-rounded team effort. Their batting was aggressive and well-paced, with key players like Nissanka, Mendis, and Liyanage stepping up when needed. Their bowlers then rose to the occasion, delivering tight, disciplined spells that saw them dismantle the New Zealand lineup with ease. With Theekshana and Malinga contributing with the ball, Sri Lanka showed depth in both their batting and bowling departments, giving them confidence for future competitions. Their win in Auckland will surely bolster their spirits as they look to build on this momentum in the coming months.
New Zealand will have to regroup and reassess their batting approach, especially in the face of early setbacks. Their loss in this match is a stark reminder that no lead is ever safe, and they must come up with better strategies to tackle challenging situations in the future. While the result was disappointing, it gives New Zealand a chance to reflect on their weaknesses and work toward strengthening their batting unit ahead of the upcoming tri-series and the Champions Trophy. For Sri Lanka, the victory represents the culmination of hard work and determination, and they can take a lot of confidence from their performance, knowing they can compete and succeed against top-ranked sides.
