Charith Asalanka’s Sri Lanka secured a commanding 140-run victory in the third and final ODI in Auckland.
The defeat nearly sparked research into New Zealand’s biggest ODI losses and their lowest totals. Chasing 291, the Kiwis were in shambles at 21/5, hinting at a potential record-breaking collapse. However, they eventually managed to reach 150, avoiding their worst-ever loss. Despite this, the 140-run margin marked one of New Zealand’s heavier defeats, and only once before had they lost to Sri Lanka by a bigger margin—a 189-run loss in Auckland back in 2007 when they were bowled out for just 73 while chasing 262.
New Zealand had already secured the series with wins in the first two matches, making this a dead rubber for them. Nevertheless, Mark Chapman’s heroic 81 saved them from utter humiliation. Walking in after opener Will Young’s early dismissal in the second over, Chapman batted until the 30th over, hitting 10 fours and a six in his 81-ball knock. It was his second-highest ODI score for New Zealand.
Apart from Chapman, the rest of New Zealand’s top six combined for a dismal three runs. Openers Young and Rachin Ravindra, along with Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips, fell for ducks, while Daryl Mitchell managed just two runs.
At 48/6, Michael Bracewell’s dismissal further deepened New Zealand’s woes. Chapman then added 29 runs with skipper Mitchell Santner, who contributed only two runs, and another 51 with Nathan Smith, who scored 17. Matt Henry chipped in with a quick 12 off six balls, but the damage was already done.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were on fire, with Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, and Ishan Malinga each grabbing three wickets. Asitha, who claimed three of the first five wickets, was named Player of the Match.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a strong total of 290/8 in their 50 overs. Pathum Nissanka led the charge with a quickfire 66 off 42 balls, hitting five sixes and six fours. Kusal Mendis (54 off 48) and Janith Liyanage (53 off 52) also contributed half-centuries, while Kamindu Mendis narrowly missed his fifty, scoring 46.
Matt Henry was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, claiming 4/55 to finish as the series’ leading wicket-taker with nine scalps, earning him the Player of the Series award.
Match Summary
Sri Lanka: 290/8 in 50 overs (Nissanka 66, Kusal Mendis 54, Liyanage 53, Kamindu Mendis 46; Henry 4/55, Santner 2/55)
New Zealand: 150 in 29.4 overs (Chapman 81, Smith 17; Asitha 3/26, Theekshana 3/35, Malinga 3/35)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 140 runs.
Series: New Zealand won the 3-match series 2-1.
Player of the Match: Asitha Fernando
Player of the Series: Matt Henry
