Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

So, another ODI series victory for Sri Lanka in 2024 – this is the fifth ODI series they have won in 2024. They continue to take good strides in a format that demands prolonged hours of concentration and patience. New Zealand, on the other hand, end their tour of the subcontinent with bittersweet memories. They lost the Test series to Sri Lanka 2-0 a couple of months back. The Kiwis however turned things around in style and whitewashed India in India 3-0 in the Test series and that’s a remarkable feat! After that, they returned to Sri Lanka and drew the T20I series 1-1 first up with the hosts. They were found wanting in the ODIs and slumped to a 2-0 defeat. But, the fact that they whitewashed India in testing conditions will forever be etched in their memories! New Zealand will fly back home as they gear up to face England for a 3-match Test series scheduled to begin later this month. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will go to South Africa for a 2-match Test series and that series will also begin at the end of November. There are crucial WTC points up for grabs. We hope you enjoyed our coverage. Until next time, goodbye and cheers!

Here's the glory moment! Asalanka has been handed over the trophy and he poses for photographs with his mates. Beaming smiles in the Sri Lankan camp.

Charith Asalanka: (On five ODI series victories in 2024) I think I'm really pleased with our performance. It's not easy to win five consecutive series. Although it's at home, it's a good achievement. Myself and coach want to give chance to players to perform. Individual players got a good run and that's the way forward. (On whether he is enjoying captaincy?) It's your choice (chuckles). I'm enjoying that, I believe I have to enjoy everything, that's the key to success. This series we had a lot of positives. Especially, Kusal Mendis, batted really well. The bowlers also bowled well and our fielding was really good. (On Upal Chandana's contribution as fielding coach) The boys are working really hard and the coach is also doing a good job.

Mitchell Santner: It's for us always a challenge to come here, the conditions are different than back home. It's a shame we couldn't finish the game today, we had a good start. Will Young started well and Nicholls did well to build a partnership with him, the wicket was better than the previous game. I thoroughly enjoyed it (captaincy), it was a good learning curve for the youngsters. We always enjoy coming to Sri Lanka. We have got a few days to rest back at home and after that we will back to red-ball cricket (series against England).

Kusal Mendis has been awarded the Man of the Series award for his brilliant batting in this series. He is not present so Avishka Fernando collects the award on his behalf.

19:46 Local Time, 14:16 GMT, 19:46 IST: The incessant rain has had the final say and the match has been called off. Only 21 overs of play was possible today. Will Young and Henry Nicholls capitalized on the good batting conditions on offer and laid down a solid foundation for the middle order. But, the rain came down around 4pm local time. There was a glimmer of hope for resumption when it had stopped raining around 5pm but unfortunately, the rain returned again and washed away our hopes of a rain-curtailed game. Sri Lanka win the ODI series 2-0.

19:40 Local Time, 14:10 GMT, 19:40 IST: Alas! The rain has arrived once again. It has been that kind of an evening.

19:30 Local Time, 14:00 GMT, 19:30 IST: Rain has stopped. Will take some time for the groundsmen to do their bit. Stay tuned.

18:21 Local Time, 12:51 GMT, 18:21 IST: The rain continues to persist in Pallekele. We will be losing more overs at this rate

17:59 Local Time, 12:29 GMT, 17:59 IST: Well, the rain has returned and the covers are back on. There was more rain on the radar and another spell of rain has arrived. The rain is quite heavy as well. The waiting game continues...

17:44 Local Time, 12:14 GMT, 17:44 IST: The umpire inspection will be held at 6pm local time.

17:34 Local Time, 12:04 GMT, 17:34 IST: All the covers have been removed. We will update you soon regarding the restart time and lost overs

17:20 Local Time, 11:50 GMT, 17:20 IST: Good news, folks! The covers are coming off. We shouldn't be far away from resumption

16:57 Local Time, 11:27 GMT, 16:57 IST: Danushka Aravinda has just now posted on X that the rain has stopped. That's a good news. It will take some time for the groundsmen to carefully remove the covers. Hopefully, the rain will stay away for the rest of the evening.

16:27 Local Time, 10:57 GMT, 16:27 IST: The rain continues to come down in Pallekele. The entire ground remains covered.

15:59 Local Time, 10:29 GMT, 15:59 IST: The rain has arrived and the groundsmen rush in with the covers. It was always on the cards with the dark clouds looming overhead and the rain has set in now. It looks very dark at present - these are not good signs but let's hope the weather clears up soon. And as I type, the rain has gotten heavier. Stay around as we will keep you updated...

Vandersay to Will Young, no run, 85kph full ball drifting in, swept off the inner half to short fine leg

Vandersay to Will Young, no run, full ball drifting in on middle, Will Young kneels across on one knee and sweeps it straight to short fine leg

Vandersay to Nicholls, 1 run, another googly, this time on a back of a length, Nicholls reads it off the pitch and works it to square leg

Vandersay to Will Young, 1 run, full ball around off, Will Young reverse dabs it towards short third for a brisk single