SL vs NZ 3rd ODI Preview: Key Players And Stats, Live Streaming, Pitch Report, Probable XIs

Sri Lanka has already clinched the series [Source: @ICC/x.com]

Sri Lanka is all set to face New Zealand in the final ODI clash of the series on Tuesday, November 19, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. With a 2-0 series lead, Sri Lanka has already bagged the series and will be aiming to seal a clean sweep on home soil. Meanwhile, the Kiwis will look to snatch back some pride and avoid going home empty-handed.

SL vs NZ 3rd ODI: Match Details & Live Streaming

SL vs NZ 3rd ODI Preview: Sri Lanka Aiming For A Clean Sweep

In the second ODI, Sri Lanka’s bowlers were all over New Zealand. After choosing to field, the Lankan bowlers restricted New Zealand to a modest 209 in 45.1 overs. Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffery Vandersay were the stars with the ball, each grabbing three wickets.

Asitha Fernando pitched in with two, while Dunith Wellalage and skipper Charith Asalanka chipped in with one apiece. It was a well-rounded team effort that kept New Zealand under pressure throughout.

While Sri Lanka had a few stumbles with the bat, Kusal Mendis held the fort, scoring an unbeaten 74 off 102 balls. Pathum Nissanka's 28 and Maheesh Theekshana's valuable 27* late in the innings helped secure a three-wicket win with an over to spare. A few of Sri Lanka's top-order batters, including Avishka Fernando and Charith Asalanka, struggled to get going, and they'll be hoping to contribute in the final game to end the series with a bang.

---

ALSO READ

Where To Watch SL vs NZ 2nd ODI? Channel, Live Streaming, Date And Time

---

SL vs NZ 3rd ODI Preview: New Zealand Looking To Salvage Their Pride

New Zealand's batters have had a rough time in this series. Despite Will Young's 26-run start and some resistance from Mark Chapman (76) and Mitchell Hay (49), the rest of the batting lineup failed to stand up to the Lankan spinners. Captain Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Henry Nicholls, and Tim Robinson couldn't add much to the board, which has been a recurring issue for the Kiwis in the series.

The visitors put up a solid fight with the ball, with Bracewell leading the charge by snatching four wickets. Santner, Phillips, and Nathan Smith chipped in with a wicket each, but it just wasn't enough in the end. 

Sri Lanka cruised to victory with three wickets in hand and an over to spare. Now, the Kiwis will be hoping their batting lineup finally fires up so they can reclaim some pride in this last ODI.

SL vs NZ 3rd ODI: What To Expect From The Pallekele Surface?

Pallekele's surface is known for aiding spinners, and it did just that in the last game. Batting tends to get easier as the game progresses, so teams chasing have had better luck here. Out of the 43 ODIs played at this venue, 25 have gone to the team chasing, which could influence the toss strategy once again.

SL vs NZ 3rd ODI: Key Players & Stats

• Kusal Mendis: 437 runs in the last 10 matches, Average: 54.63, SR: 88.82
• Charith Asalanka: 375 runs in the last 10 matches, Average: 41.67, SR: 96.4
• Will Young: 359 runs in the last 7 matches, Average: 51.29, SR: 94.22
• Glenn Phillips: 195 runs in the last 7 matches, Average: 32.5, SR: 118.18
• Jeffrey Vandersay: 13 wickets in the last 5 matches, ER: 5.01
• Maheesh Theekshana: 10 wickets in the last 6 matches, ER: 4.45
• Jacob Duffy: 7 wickets in the last 5 matches, ER: 5.65
• Mitchell Santner: 5 wickets in the last 7 matches, ER: 5.11

SL vs NZ 3rd ODI: Probable Playing XIs

Sri Lanka's Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage Asitha Fernando

New Zealand's Probable XI: Tim Robinson, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy

SL vs NZ 3rd ODI: Winner Prediction

Considering the current form, how both teams have fared in the series, and the number of quality spinners in Sri Lanka’s team, the Lankans are the favourites to win this match.

---

ALSO READ

SL vs NZ 2nd ODI Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today’s Match Between Sri Lanka And New Zealand?

---