Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has on Monday (November 18) announced that four key players, including the in-form batter Kusal Mendis, will sit out of the third and final ODI against New Zealand. With the ongoing three-match ODI series already clinched 2-0, Sri Lanka is eyeing a clean sweep while giving opportunities to fresh faces against New Zealand.
The third and final ODI match is set to 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 clean sweep against the Black Caps at home.
Kusal Mendis among four Sri Lanka stars rested for the final ODI against New Zealand
The Islanders won the first ODI by 45 runs and then registered a three-wicket triumph to clinch the historic ODI series victory over the New Zealand cricket team.
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Notably, the first and second ODIs were impacted by the rain, but the hosts managed to deliver match-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 win 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 three-match ODI series opener 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 alongside Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, and Pathum Nissanka.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) rest 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 batters Nuwanidu Fernando and Lahiru Udara, along with young pace talent Eshan Malinga. With the ODI series already in the bag, the hosts are giving emerging players a chance to showcase their skills in the final ODI match and rest to the senior players ahead of the South Africa Tests.
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a release: “The decision was taken by the selectors 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 achieved multiple milestones with the New Zealand ODI series triumph
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has achieved a significant milestone, as they clinched their first-ever ODI series against New Zealand since November 2012. This triumph extends the Sri Lankan team’s unbeaten streak in the bilateral ODI series at home to 10. It was their tenth consecutive bilateral ODI series win at home since their defeat to India in July 2021.
Additionally, it marked the Islanders’ sixth consecutive bilateral ODI series win on home soil, setting a new record for their longest such 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 match-winning knock in the second ODI despite battling with a groin injury. Kusal Mendis said at the post-match presentation: “I think the injury is okay now. It was very hard to bat with the new ball. Pathum started really well, and his 28 runs were very important.
I had to take some chances, and Dunith and Maheesh batted really well to support me. In the second half, there was more spin, and dew came in pretty late. I enjoyed playing in these conditions. It was a bit hard playing with my injury; I couldn’t run any doubles.”
