SL beat NZ by 37 runs | Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd T20I Match - Commentary

Now, how will the Kiwis bat on this slow surface? The Lankans have three spinners in their ranks and they surely have the capability of defending this total. New Zealand, on the other hand, would want to finish this off on a winning note before they sign off from Sri Lanka. Join us back to find out.

Niroshan Dickwella has a chat with Roshan Abeysinghe. The former says that it is quite a slow wicket. But admits that the Lankans are 10-15 runs short. Calls it a wicket for the spinners and adds that the Lankans too have three good spinners. Agrees that it was always challenging to bat on this wicket but blames himself for not capitalizing on his start. Not only tonight, but even in the previous two matches.

For the hosts, only Gunathilaka and Dickwella could hang around for a while to play a few delightful strokes but they couldn't hang on for a longer time, leaving them stranded. Lahiru Madushanka gave some resistance but he was done by a beautiful ball from Santner. After that, Kiwis didn't offer any freebies and made sure the Lankans have an underpar score.

After a decent start from the openers, the Lankan innings could never get going as the Kiwis struck on timely basis to rock the hosts' momentum. The spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle starred for the visitors as they returned with three apiece.

So, a T20I ends without a six. Very rarely happens these days with the shorter boundaries and the massive willows. However, that did happen here. Courtesy a brilliant bowling performance from the New Zealand bowlers.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Wanindu Hasaranga. SAFE. A length ball, around middle, Hasaranga drags this through mid-wicket and calls for two. He pushes himself into it and then has to dive at the striker's end. Seifert collects and whips the bails off and appeals. Replays show that while diving, the bat did go up but after it touched the crease. By the time Seifert takes the bails off, the batsman is safely in. SRI LANKA FINISH ON 125/8!

It is definitely not a six or a four. In fact, we have a run out review. Looks to be safe. That means two runs to the total.

Last ball. Fine leg and third man both in. Can we have a six?

Scott Kuggeleijn to Lasith Malinga. A length ball, around off, Malinga swings this towards deep mid-wicket for another single.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Wanindu Hasaranga. Outside off, punched through cover for one.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Wanindu Hasaranga. WIDE. A bouncer, but down the leg side. Wanindu gets across to pull but then lets it pass.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Wanindu Hasaranga. Outside off, carved over cover for a couple.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Lasith Malinga. A short ball, heaved to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Kuggeleijn comes charging in but Malinga gets across to play a paddle. Scott bails out then.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Wanindu Hasaranga. Outside off, Hasaranga swings hard but gets a bit of an inside edge through mid-wicket. A single taken.

Tim Southee to Lasith Malinga. Full and outside off, the cutter, LM backs away and slashes hard, only to miss again.

Tim Southee to Lasith Malinga. WIDE. Short and well outside off, slower in pace, a slash and a miss.

Tim Southee to Lasith Malinga. Outside off, once again, LM backs away, aiming to punch down the ground but finds Southee once more.

Tim Southee to Lasith Malinga. WIDE. Slower ball goes awry, well outside off, the skipper looks to slash but misses.

Tim Southee to Lasith Malinga. Outside off, a cutter again, Lasith backs away to the leg side to punch it down the ground but mistimes it back to the bowler.

Tim Southee to Lasith Malinga. Slower ball, Malinga is early into his pull and mistimes it towards long on. That lack of timing allows the second run.

Tim Southee to Lasith Malinga. Outside off, bunted straight to point.

Tim Southee to Wanindu Hasaranga. TOP EDGE, DROPPED! Well, Colin de Grandhomme does all the hard work, picking the ball in the night sky and then charging in. But when he gets to the ball, he cannot hold on. It was a length ball outside off, slower one, Hasaranga backed away and went hard at it, aiming to go inside out but sliced it towards sweeper cover.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Lasith Malinga. A length ball, rises off the pitch, Lasith backs away, looking to defend but almost pops it straight back to the bowler. Lands well short though.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Lasith Malinga. Nice yorker, Malinga looks to dig it out but the ball scoots off the inside edge past short fine leg. Two runs taken.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Lasith Malinga. Outside off, another cutter, Malinga swings but misses.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Lasith Malinga. Around middle, defended watchfully. Again some confusion between the middle but all is well in the end.

Lasith Malinga comes in at number 10, replacing Akila.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Akila Dananjaya. OUT! BOWLED! Change of pace again. The cutter from Kuggeleijn, around leg and middle, Dananjaya backs away to the leg side, attempting to run it down to third man but misses. Castled.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Akila Dananjaya. Outside off, on a length, a play and a miss.

Akila Dananjaya walks in at number 9, replacing Udana. Scott Kuggeleijn is back on as well. 2-0-10-0 so far.

Seth Rance to Isuru Udana. OUT! Mix-up, mix-up, mix-up and a run out this time! Action replay of the previous delivery but with a wicket now. Udana, like Hasaranga on the previous ball, steered this behind point and charged back for the second. His partner, like Udana on the previous ball, sent Isuru back. Only this time, Udana had come a meter too far. He has to stop, turn and then get back. By that time, Santner had returned a rocket throw to the keeper who fired it to the bowler. Rance collects and takes the bails off.

Seth Rance to Wanindu Hasaranga. Mix-up, but safe! Outside off, Wanindu steers it towards third man. He takes the single. Now, he wants the second but Udana is busy shouting, 'NO! NO! NO!' Hasaranga is halfway down the track and has to take a u-turn. Luckily for him, the throw comes to the keeper who relays it at the non-striker's end. He hits the stumps but Wanindu is well in.

Seth Rance to Wanindu Hasaranga. Full and outside off, Hasaranga reaches out and steers it behind point. Scott Kuggeleijn slips while fielding and that allows the second.

Seth Rance to Isuru Udana. Outside off, eased through the covers for a run.

Seth Rance to Wanindu Hasaranga. Full and outside off, this is driven through cover for a single.

Seth Rance to Wanindu Hasaranga. Full and outside off, squeezed behind point for a couple.

Seth Rance returns at the death. 2-0-21-0 so far.

Mitchell Santner to Isuru Udana. Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 4-1-12-3 for Santner. Excellent returns.

Mitchell Santner to Isuru Udana. Beautiful flight outside off, Udana looks to push it towards the off side but is beaten.

Isuru Udana comes out to bat. Perfect situation. 26 balls left. Go full throttle.

Mitchell Santner to Lahiru Madushanka. OUT! LBW! That is what dots can do. Put pressure. Madushanka comes down the track to try and manufacture something, aiming to flick it against the line but misses. Is hit on the pads. Santner appeals, the umpire takes his time and then raises the finger of slow death.

Mitchell Santner to Lahiru Madushanka. Action replay of the previous delivery. Almost stumped him this time as Lahiru plays and misses but he gets back.

Mitchell Santner to Lahiru Madushanka. Flighted outside off, Madushanka is drawn into the drive but misses as the ball spins away.

Mitchell Santner to Wanindu Hasaranga. Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.

Mitchell Santner is back on. 3-1-11-2 so far.

Todd Astle to Lahiru Madushanka. Around off, worked through mid-wicket for a couple. 4-0-28-3 for the night for Astle.

Wanindu Hasaranga comes out to bat now. Down to the all-rounders.

Todd Astle to Dasun Shanaka. OUT! In the air... and caught! Third wicket for Todd Astle. Full and outside off, Shanaka lines up for another slog sweep. But this time, extra bounce and extra time for the ball to arrive does him in. Gets a top edge which balloons towards deep mid-wicket where Daryl Mitchell takes it calmly. The bowler rushes towards the fielder to celebrate and mouths, 'GOTCHA!'

Todd Astle to Lahiru Madushanka. A length ball, a dart, pushed through to long on for one.

Todd Astle to Dasun Shanaka. A short ball, heaved it towards long on for a run.

Todd Astle to Dasun Shanaka. FOUR! THUMP! Full and outside off, Shanaka gets down and mows a slog sweep over mid-wicket, to the right of the man in the deep!

Todd Astle to Lahiru Madushanka. Full and around middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

Todd Astle to bowl out. 3-0-19-2 so far.

Colin de Grandhomme to Lahiru Madushanka. Another slower ball, pushed through mid on for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to Lahiru Madushanka. Around middle and off, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple.

Colin de Grandhomme to Lahiru Madushanka. FOUR! Nicely played! Full and outside off, Madushanka reaches out and steers this beautifully behind point. Sweeper tries to sweep from cover but cannot get there.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dasun Shanaka. Outside off, eased down to long off for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dasun Shanaka. Around off, coming in slightly, watchfully defended.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dasun Shanaka. WIDE. FIRST OF THE GAME! Excellent discipline from the Kiwis. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.

Colin de Grandhomme to Lahiru Madushanka. Full and down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme comes in to bowl. 6th bowler to be used.

Mitchell Santner to Lahiru Madushanka. Excellent change of pace. Lot of loop, outside off, pushed towards point for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Lahiru Madushanka. Outside off, Madushanka looks to punch this through the off side but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Mitchell Santner to Lahiru Madushanka. Full on middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple.

Mitchell Santner to Dasun Shanaka. Outside off, pushed through mid off for a single.

Dasun Shanaka walks in at number 6, replacing Dickwella.

Mitchell Santner to Niroshan Dickwella. OUT! Caught! Second wicket for Santner and both set batsmen are gone now. Full and around middle, Dickwella gets down and laps it fine. But he has only lobbed it straight into the lap of Colin Munro at short fine leg. Again, just when some momentum was being gained, it has been cut off.

Mitchell Santner to Lahiru Madushanka. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

Mitchell Santner is back on. 2-1-6-1 so far.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! This time he connects well. Short and wide outside off, Dickwella reaches out and carves it over point for a boundary!

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Outside off, excellent change of pace, Dickwella reaches out to slash but is beaten by the lack of pace.

Tim Southee to Lahiru Madushanka. Another short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.

Tim Southee to Lahiru Madushanka. A short ball again, Lahiru looks to pull but misses.

Tim Southee to Lahiru Madushanka. Down the leg side, Madushanka looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads through third man. Two runs taken.

Tim Southee to Lahiru Madushanka. A short ball outside off, Madushanka looks to pull but mistimes it towards short mid-wicket.

Skipper Tim Southee comes back to exert some control. 2-0-6-0 so far.

Todd Astle to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, driven through mid on for a couple. 13 from the over!

Todd Astle to Niroshan Dickwella. Oohhh... Astle is lucky to get away with that. Full and down the leg side, Niroshan gets down and plays the paddle sweep this time. Hits it straight to the fielder at short fine leg, Colin Munro, but he misfields. Concedes a couple. Astle is lucky that he does not give away a boundary. A metre either side and this was a hat-trick.

Todd Astle to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! This time goes fine! Back-to-back boundaries. Full and down the leg side, Dickwella gets down and sweeps it very fine, past the man at short fine leg.

Todd Astle to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Welcome boundary for Sri Lanka. Floated outside off, Dickwella comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it cleanly over cover. Long off gets across to his right and dives but in vain.

Todd Astle to Lahiru Madushanka. Tossed up outside off, driven towards long off for a single.

Todd Astle to Lahiru Madushanka. The quicker one outside off, Madushanka looks to cut but misses.

Mitchell Santner to Niroshan Dickwella. Finally someone has connected the reverse sweep well. Flighted around off, Dickwella reverse sweeps this over the point fielder to pick a couple as the ball goes towards third man.

Mitchell Santner to Lahiru Madushanka. Fuller ball this time, tapped towards point with soft hands for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman dances down the track. One run added to the total.

Mitchell Santner to Lahiru Madushanka. Flatter one this time, pushed towards cover for a single. First T20I runs for Madushanka.

Mitchell Santner to Niroshan Dickwella. Dickwell this time dances down the track to this loopy ball on middle to flick but misses to get an inside edge onto the bat. The ball goes towards the off side for a run.

Mitchell Santner to Niroshan Dickwella. Fired a ball around this time, Dickwella looks to work it down the leg side but misses. The keeper fumbles but no runs.

Mitchell Santner is back on. Change of ends for him. Started off with a maiden and got the wicket of Fernando as well.

Todd Astle to Lahiru Madushanka. Flatter around off, guided towards third man.

Lahiru Madushanka comes in now. Under some pressure.

Todd Astle to Danushka Gunathilaka. OUT! Another googly and another ball shatters the timber. Astle gets his number two. Pitched on middle and leg, Gunathilaka looks to block but he is squared up as he reads the spin wrong. Expected it be a leg spinner but it turns just a hint to miss the block and hit the woodwork behind. That is a good start wasted. Gunathilaka was looking in good shape out there. Correction. He was the only man looking in good shape out there but fails to go on.

Todd Astle to Danushka Gunathilaka. And again, another reverse sweep attempt but finds the point fielder this time.

Todd Astle to Niroshan Dickwella. Another reverse sweep attempt. Not sure what happened there as ball goes towards short third man. They take a single. Probably it hit the keeper's pads. No, runs given. So must have been a bottom edge.

Todd Astle to Danushka Gunathilaka. Goes for a slog sweep but manages to do so along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Todd Astle to Danushka Gunathilaka. Huge appeal from the bowler but it looked as if it hit the bat. Flatter ball on middle, Gunathilaka looks to reverse sweep and manages to get it towards third man. A couple of runs. The umpire after thinking for a long time signals leg byes. That pitched outside leg as well.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Danushka Gunathilaka. Full and just around off, solidly defended towards cover for a single.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Niroshan Dickwella. On middle and leg, helped through square leg for a single.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Danushka Gunathilaka. Down the leg side, helped through square leg for a single.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Danushka Gunathilaka. Around off, this is blocked solidly.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Danushka Gunathilaka. Outside off, fuller in length, Danushka reaches out and tries to steer it towards third man. Almost ends up guiding it straight to the keeper.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Danushka Gunathilaka. Full and outside leg, Gunathilaka works it through mid-wicket. Calls for two and gets them easily. Very good running.

Todd Astle to Niroshan Dickwella. Outside off and a quicker one. Dickwella can't get any bat on that one. Five and a wicket for Astle in his first.

Todd Astle to Niroshan Dickwella. Powerfully driven but the long off fielder Santner does well to save two. Flatter ball around off. Dickwella creams his drive but Santner moves to his right and makes a superb stop.

Niroshan Dickwella walks in at number 4, replacing Avishka.

Todd Astle to Avishka Fernando. OUT! BOWLED! This was a googly. And more importantly, this was an excellent change of pace. Landed outside off, Fernando goes back to punch it through the off side. But he is foxed twice. First, he thinks this is a leg spinner. Strike 1. Then, he reads it off the surface and looks to punch it through the off side, against the spin but does so a bit too hurriedly. The ball is a touch slow, spins in slowly and goes past the bat to hit the stumps. Strike 2. MAIDEN T20I WICKET FOR TODD ASTLE!

Todd Astle to Avishka Fernando. Flatter around off, punched off the back foot for a couple of runs this time as the deep cover fielder fumbles.

Todd Astle to Danushka Gunathilaka. NOT OUT! That was very close but Gunathilaka does well to drag his bat inside the line. Flatter ball on off, Gunathilaka looks to heave this over the covers but misses. Seifert behind the wicket fumbles as the ball goes towards short third man. Fernando wants a run there but Gunathilaka responds late but goes for it eventually. A direct hit there would've been curtains for him but it wasn't one. Astle received the throw and smartly dropped it on the stumps but Gunathilaka dragged the bat like the old school to get in.

Run out appeal! It was a confusion for a run between the two batsmen but eventually, the batsmen went for the single. The throw came in at the bowler's end and Astle parried it onto the stumps. Referred upstairs. Replays show that Gunathilaka is in.

Todd Astle to Danushka Gunathilaka. Goes for the reverse sweep straight away. Lands it on off as Gunathilaka goes for the reverse sweep to miss the shot.

Time for the leggie. Todd Astle into the attack.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Avishka Fernando. Goes for the heave over mid off this time but misses. Good length ball outside off, Fernando after playing three dot balls is frustrated and wants to hammer this over mid off but does so by staying in the crease.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Avishka Fernando. Fuller ball again, Fernando drives it firmly but straight to cover.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Avishka Fernando. Fuller ball on middle this time. Fernando misses again and finds the mid-wicket fielder on the bounce as he looks to flick.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Avishka Fernando. Length ball around off, pushed towards point this time.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Avishka Fernando. FOUR! He would've holed out to Todd Astle at mid on. Kuggeleijn bowls another short ball on middle, Fernando wants to power it over the mid on fence but can't get the timing right on that one. But enough for it to go over the leaping effort of Todd Astle.

Scott Kuggeleijn to Danushka Gunathilaka. Poor ball to start but there is a protection at deep mid-wicket. Shortish length on middle and leg. Gunathilaka pulls it well but straight to the fielder. Just a single.

Scott Kuggeleijn into the attack now to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Isuru Udana is having a chat with Russel Arnold. On being asked about what can Sri Lanka do differently in this game, Udana says that it is a slow wicket, so the bowlers can use the change of pace tactic. Is hopeful of the young guys doing well tonight.

Mitchell Santner to Avishka Fernando. A wicket maiden to start from Santner. Flatter one this time, Fernando blocks it off the back foot.

Mitchell Santner to Avishka Fernando. Slower and flighted one around off, Fernando goes to drive this through covers but because of the slowness of the ball, he is early into the shot and drags the ball onto his boot.

Mitchell Santner to Avishka Fernando. On off this time, blocked towards cover again.

Mitchell Santner to Avishka Fernando. Another quicker one on middle, Fernando finds the mid-wicket fielder this time.

Mitchell Santner to Avishka Fernando. Gets his line right does Santner and fires it on off and middle. Fernando blocks it towards cover.

Avishka Fernando is the new man in.

Mitchell Santner to Kusal Perera. OUT! He strikes first ball. Not the ball on which you get out to. Kusal will be kicking himself for this one. It is a poor ball down the leg side. Perera looks to paddle this fine down the leg side but he can only manage to lob this one straight in the hands of Todd Astle at short fine leg.

Spin time as Santner is into the attack.

Seth Rance to Danushka Gunathilaka. Good length ball around off, tapped towards third man for a couple this time. 18 runs from the over!

Seth Rance to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! Make that four boundaries from the over. Good length ball on the pads this time, Gunathilaka swivels and hammers a pull towards the square leg fence. He is on fire.

Seth Rance to Danushka Gunathilaka. A run out chance? Fuller and on middle, Gunathilaka pushes it back towards the bowler and ventures out of his crease to take a run. Rance does well to get down, pick up the ball and throw it back to the stumps at the striker's end, but he misses the stumps. Gunathilaka dives to get in.

Seth Rance to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! Poor ball and another boundary. This time Rance goes fuller but this one is on the pads. Gunathilaka glances it fine down the leg side.

Seth Rance to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries. Good length ball on off, Gunathilaka again gives himself room and creams the cover drive for another boundary.

Seth Rance to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! A much needed boundary this time. Fuller ball on off, Gunathilaka gives himself room and crunches it down the ground. No chance for the mid off fielder.

Tim Southee to Kusal Perera. Good effort at mid on by Kuggeleijn. Fuller ball on middle and leg this time. Perera hammers it towards mid on who moves to his right and does well to stop. A boundary saved there.

Tim Southee to Kusal Perera. Poor ball but Perera can't do anything to it. Full toss outside off. Perera goes hard after it but finds Santner at cover.

Tim Southee to Danushka Gunathilaka. Fuller but on the pads. Gunathilaka works it towards mid-wicket to change ends.

Tim Southee to Danushka Gunathilaka. Shortish ball around off, Gunathilaka swivels to pull this but mistimes the shot. The ball goes towards mid-wicket for a couple this time.

Tim Southee to Danushka Gunathilaka. Good length ball this time around off, blocked towards cover.

Tim Southee to Kusal Perera. Fuller ball on off, Perera drives this towards mid off for a single.

Seth Rance to Danushka Gunathilaka. Slightly fuller this time. Gunathilaka looks to guide this through point but the ball takes an outside edge and goes towards third man. They take two before the fielder returns the ball to the keeper.

Seth Rance to Danushka Gunathilaka. Beaten with a beauty! Rance lands this one on the fourth stump and gets it to move further away. Gunathilaka goes for the drive but can't hit the ball.

Seth Rance to Danushka Gunathilaka. Good length in the channel this time, tapped straight to point.

Seth Rance to Kusal Perera. Good length on middle, Perera looks to pull but can't get proper timing as the ball goes to the square leg region for a run.

Seth Rance to Kusal Perera. Fuller ball this time, jammed nicely.

Seth Rance to Kusal Perera. Good length outside off, Perera throws his bat but can't get bat on ball. Lucky not to edge that on.

Seth Rance to bowl from the other end.

Tim Southee to Kusal Perera. Yorker this time, Perera jams his bat down and flicks it for a single.

Tim Southee to Kusal Perera. Good length ball outside off, goes for a drive but gets an inside edge and the ball goes down the leg side for no run.

Tim Southee to Kusal Perera. Good length ball this time, punched nicely off the back foot.

Tim Southee to Kusal Perera. FOUR LEG BYES! Huge appeal for the LBW but that looked going down the leg to the naked eye. Fullish ball on the pads for Perera. He looks to flick it fine down the leg side but can't get bat on ball. Southee appeals loudly but nothing from the umpire. It clips him on the pads and goes to the fine leg fence. Hawk Eye shows the ball to be pitched outside leg.

Tim Southee to Kusal Perera. Another ball which is on a good length on middle, a slight inward movement on that one. Perera goes for a pull but hits it onto his boot.

Tim Southee to Danushka Gunathilaka. Quick single first up to get the Sri Lankan innings underway. Good length ball on middle, tapped towards mid off and takes off for a run. Gunathilaka is off the mark with that.

The players are out in the middle and we are all set for the game to begin. Kusal Perera and Danushka Gunathilaka to open the innings for the Lankans. Captain Tim Southee will start off proceedings to Danushka. Here we go...

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford (IN FOR MARTIN GUPTILL), Tim Seifert(wk), Ross Taylor (IN FOR TOM BRUCE), Colin de Grandhomme, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee(c), Seth Rance, Todd Astle (IN FOR ISH SODHI) and Scott Kuggeleijn.

New Zealand captain, Tim Southee, smiles on being asked about his team status and says that they have just enough resources to field a playing XI. Informs that Martin Guptill and Tom Bruce are injured while Ish Sodhi have been left out. Adds that they are replaced by Ross Taylor, Hamish Rutherford and Todd Astle. Feels that it has been great cricket from both sides and wants to end this series on a high.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Kusal Perera(wk), Danushka Gunathilaka (IN FOR KUSAL MENDIS), Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Madushanka (IN FOR SHEHAN JAYASURIYA), Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Malinga(c) and Lakshan Sandakan.

Sri Lankan skipper, Lasith Malinga, says that the reason to bat first is because it is a used wicket. Wants his team to put up a high score. Admits that the last match was a tough pill to swallow, with the game going away in the last few moments. Wants his unit to forget that and end the series on a high. Informs that Mendis and Jayasuriya miss out due to injuries sustained during that collision in the previous game and are replaced by Gunathilaka and Madushanka.

TOSS - It is now time for the spin of the coin. Heads is the call from Tim Southee but it is a Tail. SRI LANKA, surprisingly, ELECT TO BAT FIRST. Well, with the rain around and also given that they have lost both their previous matches, one would have thought Malinga would choose to chase tonight.

Ross Taylor had an interview with Roshan Abeysinghe before the start of the game. Says confidently that he is fit to play and is happy and excited to be amongst the youngsters. Praises Tom Bruce for his heroics in the previous game but also admits that he is injured and will be replaced by Hamish Rutherford. On the planning for the WT20 next year, Rosco says that conditions and the outfield will be different in Australia and there will be a couple of more series coming up which would give them a clearer indication.

PITCH REPORT - Kyle Mills observing the track says that it is the same one which was used during the second T20I. Sees plenty of cracks, almost like a jigsaw puzzle and predicts fast bowlers to use cutters. Expects it to be a slow wicket.

WEATHER - The ground was covered and a heavy shower was sweeping across the ground 90 minutes ago. However, all the covers are off, albeit the skies are overcast. We don't want to say anything about the rain forecast as weather in Sri Lanka changes every minute.

Series done. Tour about to get over. New Zealand victorious. Sri Lanka, still unsure of their progress. What can be taken from a dead rubber? Well, positives and confidence are some shout, if one would like, keeping the WT20 next year in mind. Lasith Malinga would want his young side to keep learning but winning while New Zealand would want a whitewash. There are a few injury concerns to both sides, so let us see who eventually plays. Hello and a warm welcome to the third and final T20I between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Pallekele.