NZ beat SL by 115 runs | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd ODI Match - Commentary

Should be exciting if it goes the way the last two games did. Can Sri Lanka salvage some pride or will the Black Caps complete the clean sweep? Join us for the chase in some time.

So once more, Sri Lanka have faltered with the old ball. They conceded 57 runs off the last 3 overs. The target set is really huge and Sri Lanka will have to go at an RPO of more than 7 right from the start. Not going to be easy but with the series already gone, they have nothing to lose and should go for the win.

Henry Nicholls is caught down for a chat. He feels great to have a big total on the on the board and feels good to contribute to it. Hopes that his side defends it. On batting with Ross Taylor, he reckons that they complement each other well. Mentions that it was fun and the crowd has come in good numbers.

In came Henry Nicholls and along with Ross Taylor kept the scoreboard ticking early on with singles and doubles. Once they got set, they went bonkers. Ross Taylor started it off and got to his 20th ODI century. He reached 137 before finally falling to Malinga but that did not stop Nicholls. In fact, he went into fifth gear and smashed the balls to all parts en route to his maiden ODI ton. He and Neesham put up a 63-run unbeaten stand (off 23 balls) and powered New Zealand to a total of 364 which looks way above par on this wicket. Facing the likes of Ish Sodhi would not be easy on this wicket which is holding up slightly.

What an incredible batting performance! 161/3 was the score at the 30-over mark and they scored 203 runs in the next 20 overs. A complete batting performance by the Kiwis even though the openers went quite cheaply. 32 fours and 9 sixes in this innings. Tells you quite a story. A bowler of Lasith Malinga's calibre being destroyed at the back end. The innings started off in a slow fashion, with the first Powerplay seeing the Kiwis get to 55 for the loss of two wickets. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor then joined hands to put up a stand of 116 and set the platform up for the bashers who would come in later. Williamson looked really well set before getting out after his fifty.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. Just a bye off the final ball. A clever slower one by the bowler, angling down, Nicholls tries to be cheeky with his paddle scoop but fails to connect. They cross and New Zealand end on a massive 364/4, with 24 runs coming off the last over!

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. NOT OUT! He is super quick! A full toss this time, on off, it's forced down to long off and Nicholls scampers back for the second run. The throw from the deep is towards the non-striker's end where the bowler cannot collect it cleanly and the ball eventually comes to the keeper who breaks the stumps. Seems the batsman could just be in due to the ball being slowed down slightly. They appeal and it's referred upstairs. The replays find Henry safely in. 23 from the over so far, total carnage!

Appeal for a run out! The square leg umpire has taken this one upstairs.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. SIX! Out of here! A slower short delivery outside off, Nicholls picks it and smokes it over mid-wicket for a biggie. Insane hitting!

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. NO BALL! Above waist height! Full toss on off, Nicholls goes uppishly over cover-point region for a boundary. Free Hit coming up...

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. A touch short on middle, Henry pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Two in two. Fuller delivery on off, Nicholls drives it through the cover region and the ball races away. What a start for the Kiwis in this over!

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Scintillating stuff from Nicholls. Slower delivery on a length, Nicholls whacks it in front of deep square leg for a boundary.

Lasith Malinga to James Neesham. SIX! HUGE! 19 off the over! Malinga has conceded more than 90 in his quota of overs. The second time he has done that in ODIs. Coming to this delivery, it's a length ball on middle and leg, Neesham gets his front leg out of the way and smashes it over cow corner deep into the crowd. Incredible batting but very poor bowling.

Lasith Malinga to James Neesham. Wide! A short ball that is way off the radar! Goes too short, almost a half-tracker. The ball bounces over the head of the batsman and down the leg side as well. Wide signalled by the umpire without any hesitation.

Lasith Malinga to James Neesham. FOUR! Neesham gets into the act this time. Slower ball on the ribs, James swivels and gets it fine on the leg side and away from a diving Dickwella. No stopping that once it has passed the wicket-keeper.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. Short of a length delivery, slower in pace. Pulled away for a single to deep mid-wicket.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. Slower bouncer on leg stump, Henry comes into the line and tries to run it down fine on the leg side but misses the ball completely. Asks politely for a wide but the umpire is not interested.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. SIX! Hundred for Nicholls! His maiden one in ODIs. Deserved this. Has batted brilliantly. Length ball on the pads and Nicholls just smashes it over deep square leg nonchalantly. He then removes his helmet and just raises both his hands as he faces the pavilion. Lovely batting!

Lasith Malinga to James Neesham. DROPPED! Sitter dropped by Pradeep. Malinga bowls it full on middle, Neesham flicks it uppishly but straight to the mid-wicket fielder who drops an easy catch. One run added to the total.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. Short of a length outside off, pushed away wide of cover for a couple of runs bu Nicholls. That is really good running.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Outside edge and runs fine of short third man for a boundary! The game is so unfair on the bowler at times! Good yorker length ball outside off and Nicholls goes for the drive but manages to only get an outside edge that runs fine of short third man to the fence. Nicholls moves into the 90s.

Ross Taylor gives a quick interview on his way back. He is delighted to get a century and says that at the start of the match, they would have taken a score of 300. Adds that it's a good wicket and hopes they take this total close to 320-330. Mentions that he is just keeping it simple and is happy that it has worked. On scoring his 20th ODI hundred, he replies that he would have taken that at the start of his career and hopes to get a few more.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. Slower ball on a length outside off, keeps a tad low. Nicholls tries to sweep it away over fine leg but the lack of pace makes him miss the ball.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. SIX! Just over. It was on a length on off, Nicholls gets to the pitch of it and lofts it over long on for a biggie.

Nuwan Pradeep to James Neesham. Full toss on middle, Neesham lofts it over mid on for a single.

Nuwan Pradeep to James Neesham. Length delivery this time on off, Neesham drives it towards mid off.

Nuwan Pradeep to James Neesham. WIDE! Starts with a wide down leg. Neesham still tries to flick it but misses. The umpire signals a wide.

Nuwan Pradeep will bowl the 48th over.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Short and easily dispatched away to the deep mid-wicket boundary by the set batsman. It was a slower short of a length ball and just outside off. Nicholls waits for it and then muscles it away to the right of the fielder in the deep at mid-wicket. No chance for him to come around and stop it. Lovely batting this! Malinga's over which was brilliant so far is spoiled by the four off the last ball.

Lasith Malinga to James Neesham. Slower ball bouncer once more first up to Neesham. He is too early into the pull and gets hit on the forearm. Runs through for a leg bye.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. Fuller length outside off, almost yorker length. Nicholls drives it to long off for a single.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. Slower one to Nicholls outside off. He goes for a huge slog but is foxed by the pace, or the lack of it should I say?

James Neesham in at number 6.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. OUT! Taylor has holed out this time! A brilliant innings from Rosco comes to an end. Malinga gets his man in the end. Goes for the slower ball, on a length. The right-handed batsman goes for the pull and though he timed it quite well, he found Dhananjaya de Silva at deep square leg. Taylor did read the pace of the delivery but unfortunately for him, he couldn't get the placement right. Malinga picks up his third and a stunning innings of 137 comes to an end.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. Gets the yorker on a perfect length this time, Nicholls still manages to jam this down the ground to long off for a single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. Dropped by the bowler! Another full ball has been absolutely smashed straight back to the bowler and Sandakan put down a very tough chance. Parried it behind for a run. Only 5 from this over but New Zealand have amassed 66 in the last 6 overs. 300 up!

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Full and wide outside off, Ross drills his drive through extra cover for one.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Extra loop on this one as it lands very full on middle, Taylor digs it out back to the bowler.

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. Flatter and fuller on leg, it's swept behind square leg for a single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Turning in from around off, Ross gets back and taps it down towards short third man for one. 150-run stand comes up!

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. That's been smashed! Flighted and full on off, Nicholls hammers it straight back and it cannons onto the stumps at the other end. After that it rolls behind for a run.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. SIX! Malinga is bowling half-volley after half-volley here. Misses his length once more and Taylor gets under this and lofts it over long on once more. The fielder at the fence is a mere spectator as the ball goes way into the crowd. Brilliant from the Kiwis, not so much from the Lankan skipper. 19 off this over, too expensive.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. Slower bouncer! Nicholls is foxed by it as he is early into his pull which he mistimes towards deep mid-wicket. Luckily, the ball went in no man's land. Single taken.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Absolutely bashed this down the ground. Going for a yorker outside off, taken on the full by Nicholls and he gets this really straight. Long off runs to his left and dives to try save the four but cannot stop the ball completely and it runs over the rope. This is beginning to become an expensive over.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. Full toss on middle and leg, Taylor flicks it away fine on the leg side for a single. Ross feels he missed out there.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. SIX! In the slot and very, very easy for Taylor. Malinga misses his length and gets this as a half-volley on off stump, Ross gets under it and smashes it away for a maximum. It goes deep in the crowd. Hugeeee!!!

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. Very full outside off, hit away to long on by Nicholls for a single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. Another ball on off, swept away by the southpaw for a single to deep square leg.

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. Shortens the length this time seeing the batsman come down the wicket. Nicholls went for the sweep and missed the shot. Gets hit on the hip. No run.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Wide outside off and very quick, Ross slashes it hard and gets it to deep cover. Single taken, the fourth in four balls.

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. Comes down the wicket to this flighted one on off, drives to long off for a single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Flatter one on the pads, Taylor works it to mid-wicket for a run.

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. Flatter one outside off, Nicholls sweeps this away for a single to deep square leg.

Lakshan Sandakan returns to have another go.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. NOT OUT! Just in! By a whisker! Fuller length outside off, jammed out to mid-wicket by Taylor. The batsmen wanted two and ran back as the fielder in the deep picked it up and threw the ball at the non-striker's end. Hit the stumps! The decision was referred upstairs but the replays rolled in and showed that the batsman was just in. Lucky shave!

Run out appeal! It's referred upstairs...

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. Fuller outside off, driven through the covers for a single by the lefty.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. Slightly slower this time outside off, Ross drives this hard but straight to cover. A quick single is taken as the fielder has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. SIX! Picked up and deposited just over the rope for a maximum towards long on. Misses his yorker by a few inches, Taylor gets under the ball as he lifts it right back over the bowler's head and takes maximum toll.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. Perfect yorker! Nicholls does really well to dig it out towards mid off and gets a single as well. Good cricket all around.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. Fuller one outside off, driven wide of the deep cover fielder. Couple taken.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Attempts another slog but this time the ball runs to deep mid-wicket for a single. 24 in the last two overs.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! This is smashed! In the gap too and all the way for a boundary to cow corner. Flatter ball outside off and Nicholls went down on one knee and flat-batted it wide of long on. No chance for the fielders there.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Another one on middle and leg to Taylor who just flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Flatter one outside off, pushed away to deep cover by the southpaw for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Slower through the air this time and on the pads from a length, worked away towards to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Flatter one outside off, Nicholls goes for the slog and gets it to deep mid wicket for a single all along the ground. 250 comes up for the Kiwis.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. Gets back and punches it to wide long on for a brace. 15 from the over, New Zealand pressing the accelerator.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. 100-run stand comes up! Full toss on middle, Nicholls forces it towards mid on where the fielder dives and parries it behind. The long off fielder runs across to his left, puts in a diving effort and he parries it towards long on. All in all three taken by the batsmen after the ball took a world tour.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. 7th ODI fifty for Henry Nicholls! A length ball around off, Nicholls flicks it with fine timing through square leg for a couple of runs. Excellent knock by the southpaw, he has played a nice role in this partnership with Taylor.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. Full toss on the pads, turned through square leg for a run.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. SIX! A bit of Dhoni in that shot! Very full and on middle, angling down, Taylor makes room and swings his blade firmly across the line. Makes fine connection and sends it packing over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Lasith Malinga to Henry Nicholls. Fullish and on middle, knocked down to long off for a run.

Lasith Malinga back on.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. NOT OUT! The original decision stays. Fuller and quicker on middle and leg, Taylor tries to sweep it but is hit on the front pad. The bowler appeals and umpire shakes his head. Malinga straightaway goes for the review. The replay shows no inside edge and also it to be missing the stumps. Sri Lanka lose the review. Delight for the Kiwis.

Review time! Ross Taylor fails to connect with his attempted sweep shot and is rapped on the pads. Sri Lanka put in an unsuccessful appeal for an lbw. They are reviewing it. Looks to be missing leg.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Shorter one, punched back down the ground towards the bowler.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Flatter one on middle, worked towards mid-wicket from the crease by Nicholls for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. CENTURY FOR TAYLOR! Down the ground to long on for a single and he gets it! His 20th century in ODIs! Flatter ball on middle, pushed back in the direction of the bowler who failed to stop it. Taylor gets to the other end and to the landmark. What an innings it has been, was always coming! 54 in the first game, 90 in the second. Was looking in great form and finally gets his reward.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Worked towards mid-wicket for a single by Nicholls. Wanted two but Taylor sent him back. Seems like he wants to get done with the century here.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Flighted on the middle stump, pushed towards mid-wicket and Taylor ran through for a quick single. Mid-wicket picked up the ball and had a shy at the non-striker's end but missed. Would have been in anyway.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Back of a length on off, Taylor guides it towards third man for a single. He keeps strike for the next over.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. WIDE! Tries to bowls it slower but looses its line and length. It was wide down leg. Umpire signals a wide.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. Length delivery on off, Henry tries to push it towards point, but gets an inside edge onto it. The batsmen get a single in the process.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Similar delivery, Ross drives it to mid off for a quick run.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. Fuller on off, Nicholls pushes it towards mid off for a single.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. WIDE! Bowls it wide down leg, Nicholls still tries to flick it but fails to connect it.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Length delivery outside off, Taylor opens the face of the guides it towards third man for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! The fine reverse sweep brought out! Flatter one outside off, Nicholls gets in position early and plays it fine of short third man. Once it beats the fielder, there was no chance of stopping that ball. 9 off the over. Good one for the Kiwis again.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Very full and on middle, Taylor walks into this drive to long on and gets a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Could have been a chance if he had picked it up cleanly! Fuller one outside off, HN taps it towards covers and goes for a quick single. The fielder at cover doesn't pick up the ball cleanly. Could have been a chance had he taken it and hit the stumps at the non-striker's end.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Flatter one on middle, Taylor rocks back and punches it to long on for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Slightly slower through the air, worked towards mid-wicket by the left-hander for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Flatter one on middle, flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a single by Rosco. 93 now.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. Bouncer! On the leg stump line. Nicholls swivels and tries to pull it but fails to put bat on ball. Dot to end the over.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Length ball on middle, Ross pushes it down to long on for a single.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. Yorker length ball! The ball is taken on the full by the southpaw as he pushes it to mid off and takes a quick single.

Nuwan Pradeep to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Poor delivery and punished! Short of a length on the leg side and Nicholls gets inside the line of the ball. Pulls it away with disdain for a boundary. The ball went to the rope like a tracer bullet.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Length ball outside off, driven towards deep cover for a single.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Wide! Slower one but gets the radar is wrong as he puts it down the leg side.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Wide outside off, cut away to the left of third man by Taylor. Couple taken. Taylor goes into the 90s.

Nuwan Pradeep is back into the attack.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Full and on middle, it's eased around with the turn through wide mid on for a run. A good over by de Silva.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Exposes all his stumps to a short delivery but finds the cover fielder with his cut shot.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. A touch short on off, Taylor plays it late and places it in front of short third man for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. A loopy one, landing full around leg, Henry knocks it down to long on for one.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Flighted and full on off, Nicholls makes room but only manages to push it back in the direction of the bowler.

Dushmantha Chameera to Henry Nicholls. Slightly fuller this time outside off, driven on the front foot towards long off for a run. Retains strike. Good over for the Kiwis, ten off it in the end. The 200 also comes up for the hosts with that single. Would be looking to go hard in the next 15 and get to a score over 300 at the least.

Dushmantha Chameera to Henry Nicholls. Short of a length ball on middle and leg, Nicholls misses his flick and gets hit high on the pads.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Short outside off, cut away wide of point for a single by Taylor.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Length ball on middle, pushed towards mid-wicket coming half ahead.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Make it three fours on the bounce! This time it is a soft outside edge. Length ball outside off, Taylor looks to guide it down to third man but the ball goes off the outside edge and wide of the keeper for a boundary. 50-run stand comes up between these two.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. FOUR! That is two consecutive boundaries! Fuller length on middle and Taylor lifts it over mid-wicket's head for a superb four. No fielder out there and the ball goes into the fence on one bounce.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Short and easily dispatched! Well outside off and cut away through covers. The fielders are mere spectators. 9 from De Silva's first over.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. This time the length is short, Ross waits in his crease and almost takes the ball off the keeper's glove as he runs this down fine of short third man. Single taken.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Some innovation there! The ball is flatter on off, Taylor plays the reverse paddle from the back of the bat. It runs fine of short third man for a couple.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Shortens his length to the left-hander, Nicholls rocks back and pushes it to long on for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Another flat one on middle, this time it is worked wide of the man at mid-wicket for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Flatter one on middle, pushed towards mid-wicket by Taylor.

Dhananjaya de Silva on for a bowl now.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Sprays this onto the pads, Ross misses his flick and gets hit on the thigh pad. A leg bye is taken.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Slower one, rolling his fingers over the ball. Taylor turns it away towards mid-wicket. No run.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Outside off on a length, Taylor defends coming a little ahead.

Dushmantha Chameera to Henry Nicholls. Length ball outside off, pushed back towards mid off. Quick single taken this time.

Dushmantha Chameera to Henry Nicholls. Short of a length on middle, Henry pulls it away back of square leg. Thisara runs to his left and puts in a dive as he stops the ball. Passes it to his mate who throws it back. Good fielding, only a couple taken.

Dushmantha Chameera to Henry Nicholls. Length ball outside off, pushed towards covers off the back foot by Nicholls.

DRINKS! Another passage of play dominated by the Kiwis. They have lost their skipper but Taylor and Nicholls are looking good. They will hope to get close to the 300-run mark if not more. The visitors, on the other hand, have lost their mark after a good early start.

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. Length delivery on middle, Nicholls works it to the leg side for another run.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. Short on off, Taylor cuts it towards third man. The batsmen rotate strike.

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. A touch short on off, Henry punches it through point for a single.

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Good improvisation from Nicholls. Fuller from Shanaka, Nicholls shuffles across and paddles it through fine leg for a boundary.

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. A touch fuller on middle, Nicholls pushes it straight to the bowler.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. Fuller on middle, Taylor pushes it toward long on for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Outside off, Taylor cuts it through point to keep the strike for the next over.

Dushmantha Chameera to Henry Nicholls. Short ball outside off, Nicholls makes room and cuts it to third man for a run.

Dushmantha Chameera to Henry Nicholls. Full again on off, Henry drives it to extra cover.

Dushmantha Chameera to Henry Nicholls. Full and closer to the off pole, Nicholls gets behind it and blocks it.

Dushmantha Chameera to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, cut past the point fielder for a couple of runs.

Dushmantha Chameera to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Whipped! Back of a length ball outside off, Nicholls steps out and whacks it over mid-wicket. No protection there and the ball crosses the fence.

Dushmantha Chameera is into the attack.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. Run out chance! Fuller on middle and leg, Taylor flicks it through mid-wicket. He immediately calls for two. The fielder in the deep throws it at a rapid pace but could not hit the stumps at the bowler's end. Had he hit the stumps, Rosco would have been a goner. Big moment in the game. Sri Lanka need these moments to go their way.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. Length delivery on middle, Taylor defends it with a straight bat.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. Back of a length on off, Henry punches it through point for a single.

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. Fuller on off, HN drives it towards mid off.

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. A touch short on off, Nicholls punches it towards point.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Fuller on middle, RT pushes it straight back to the bowler.

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. A touch short on off, Nicholls punches it through point. The batsmen rotate strike.

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. Gives it a bit of air on off, HN pushes it towards point.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Flighted delivery on middle, Taylor pushes it towards long on for a single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Quicker and flatter on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. Loopy delivery spinning back in, Nicholls strokes it towards long on for a run.

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. A tad short on middle, HN pulls it through mid-wicket for three runs. Good running that!

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. Length delivery on off, Henry tries to push it towards point, but gets an inside edge onto it and the ball hits the pads.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. On middle, Taylor drives it towards mid on and takes off for a quick run. Gets an easy single in the end.

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. A touch fuller on middle and leg, Nicholls flicks it through fine leg for a single.

Dasun Shanaka to Henry Nicholls. Fuller on off, Nicholls drives it straight to the mid on fielder.

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. Short ball on middle, Nicholls rocks back and pulls this to long on to retain strike.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. On leg, Taylor has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Slower ball down the leg side, Taylor misses his flick and Dickwella manages to get something on it.

Lakshan Sandakan to Henry Nicholls. The short of length delivery has been cut away through square on the off side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Henry Nicholls is the next man in for the Kiwis.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. OUT! Williamson has given it away. They were going at a decent pace and the skipper tries to up the scoring even further. A flighted ball from Sandakan on middle and off, Williamson gets low and looks to slog this over cow corner. Doesn't time it well, knew it as soon as he hit it. Dhananjaya at the ropes takes a good catch. A good knock from the captain comes to an end as does the partnership. Also, this is the first wicket for a Sri Lankan spinner in this series.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Full toss again on off, Taylor hits it to mid-wicket and changes strike.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. On a length on off, Ross pushes it towards mid off for a quick single. Good running from these two.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. Appeal for an lbw but turned down by the umpire. It was a fuller delivery on middle, Taylor tries to flick it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Lucky for Taylor, he got some bat onto it, otherwise he was plumb in front.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. Full on middle, Ross plays it towards mid-wicket.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Cuts and cuts hard! A tad short on off, Taylor hangs back and cuts it through point for a boundary.

Dasun Shanaka to Kane Williamson. Goes short on middle, Williamson pulls it towards deep fine leg for a run.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. Drifts on his pads, Taylor flicks it through fine leg for a single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. On middle and leg, driven to mid on.

Stumping referral. Williamson is in question but looks safe.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. NOT OUT! Loopy ball on off, Williamson is drawn forward to it but gets beaten. Dickwella removes the bails and appeals. The umpire takes it up as a formality and the TV umpire confirms he is well inside.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Taylor has punched the ball off the back foot to the off side. One run added to the total.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Full toss on middle, Taylor gets low and sweeps this beautifully through square leg. No one back there and the ball meets the ropes. Ross is getting a boundary almost every over.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Quicker through the air on middle, blocked by Taylor.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. Flighted ball in line of the stumps, driven to long off. They jogged to complete the run.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. Ends with a drive towards mid off.

Dasun Shanaka to Kane Williamson. A touch fuller on middle, Williamson flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen switch ends.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. Fuller on off, Taylor drives it towards mid off for a run.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. A touch short on off, Taylor cuts it through point for a couple of runs. Also brings up the 100-run stand as well. Superb from the two experienced players. They need to carry on now.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Streaky but effective. Fuller delivery on off, Taylor tries to drive it but get a bottom edge onto it. The ball goes between the keeper's legs and towards third man for a boundary. Brings up his 46th ODI fifty, his sixth on the trot. Equals the record for the most consecutive 50-plus scores in ODIs for the Kiwis.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Full and on leg, Taylor on drives it towards long on for a single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. Played to the mid-wicket region by KW. They pick up a single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Sloppy work. Fuller ball on off, Taylor swipes at this. Malinga at square leg cannot get down quickly and the ball goes under him and away to the fence.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. In line of the stumps, not short enough to pull. Ross still goes for it. Gets bat on ball but not past the short fine leg fielder.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. On the leg side, Taylor turns his bat to the on side but finds the fielder.

Dasun Shanaka to Kane Williamson. Fraction too straight, KW flicks it towards mid-wicket.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. A touch short on middle, Taylor works it around the corner for a single.

Dasun Shanaka to Kane Williamson. A touch short on off, Williamson cuts it towards deep point. The batsmen cross ends.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. On a length on off, Ross guides it towards third man for a run.

Dasun Shanaka to Kane Williamson. Half century! Length delivery on off, Kane opens the face of the bat and guides it towards third man for a single. Brings up the 35th ODI fifty for the captain. Brilliant innings from him, so far. The Kiwis will like him to bat on and score a hundred as well.

Dasun Shanaka to Ross Taylor. Starts off with a fuller delivery on off, Ross pushes it towards mid off for a run.

Dasun Shanaka is brought into the attack.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. Loopy ball on middle, Kane looks turn it away but gets an inside edge onto his back leg.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. Slower ball on middle and leg, Williamson turns his bat to the on side for nothing.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. FOUR! LOVELY! A bit short on off, Kane goes back and cuts it so late through point. Finds the gap and the ball runs away to the fence. Moves to 49 with that.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Ross has driven this through mid off to get another run.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Given air on leg, turned away to mid-wicket.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. Tossed up ball on off, driven past mid off to give Taylor the strike.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Length on off, cut away to mid off. Dot to end the over.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. Outside off, Williamson goes back and cuts it through the gap at covers for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Back of a length again on middle and leg, Taylor hops and tucks it away towards square leg for one more.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. At 140.7 kph, on top of off. Kane taps it to the off side and gets to the other end.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Back of a length ball aimed at the hips. Ross tucks it away around the corner for one.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, Taylor with fast hands carves it along the turf past point for a brace. The third man fielder tidies up the work.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. SIX! What a shot from the captain. The pick up shot. It's nicely tossed up delivery on middle, Kane strikes and whips it over mid-wicket for a biggie. Umpire goes upstairs to check it whether it crossed the rope or not. Replay shows it has crossed the line. 13 runs from the over. Costly over from Sandakan. Brings up the 100 as well for the Kiwis.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. A touch short on off, RT punches it through point for a single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Loopy delivery on middle and leg, Ross clips it off his pads and the ball goes through fine leg for a brace.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Good running there. Full toss on middle, Taylor whips it through mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep misfields and the batsmen manage to get easy two runs in the end.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. A tad fuller on middle, Kane tucks it around the corner for a run.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Tossed up delivery on middle, Ross comes down the track and eases it towards long on for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. Length on middle and leg, Williamson hops a touch and plays it to mid-wicket.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Chameera goes short down leg, Taylor cannot get hold of his pull but manages to collect a run as the ball rolls towards square leg.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for one.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Back of a length ball outside off, Taylor runs it down to third man to rotate strike.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. A bit wide outside off, punched past the diving point fielder to change ends.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. Length ball on off, punched back to the bowler.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. On middle, Ross drives it straight to the bowler. Economical beginning from Sandakan. Sri Lanka will like him to take some wickets though.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. Loopy delivery on middle and leg, Kane works it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. Quicker and fuller on off, KW pushes it towards cover.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Drags it short on off, Taylor punches it through point for a single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Quicker on off, Ross somehow digs it out.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. Tossed up delivery on middle, Kane strokes it towards long on for a run.

Drinks! After the fall of two early wickets, the reliable duo of Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson have gathered the pieces together. They have brought up the 50-run stand in pretty good time. The visitors will look to tighten things up now in the middle overs and pick some wickets which they haven't on a consistent basis in this series.

Dushmantha Chameera to Ross Taylor. Ends with a length delivery on off, Ross guides it towards point.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. Length delivery on middle, Kane works it towards mid-wicket for a single. Brings up the 50-run stand between these two. The duo have steadied the ship a bit after losing early wickets and will like to build on it now.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. A touch short on middle, the captain defends it from within the crease.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. Back of a length on middle, Williamson defends it off the back foot.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. Fuller on middle and leg, Kane has flicked it to mid-wicket.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. FOUR! In the air but safe. Overpitched from Chameera, Kane leans forward and plays the shot little early but times it sweetly through mid off. The ball races away to the fence.

Dushmantha Chammera is back for an another spell.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Gives this air on middle and off, bunted down by Taylor.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Loopy ball on the leg stump, Ross gets low to sweep but can't get it past square leg.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. Another looped up ball in line of the stumps, driven along the turf to long on for one.

Lakshan Sandakan to Kane Williamson. Tossed this one up on off, driven to extra cover.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Fuller this time on middle and leg, eased away to long on for an easy single.

Lakshan Sandakan to Ross Taylor. Leg spinner on the leg stump, turned away by Taylor.

Lakshan Sandakan to bowl now.

Nuwan Pradeep to Kane Williamson. Williamson has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Nuwan Pradeep to Kane Williamson. Similar delivery, the captain tries to flick it but was hit high on the pads.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. On a length on middle and leg, Ross tries to flick it, but misses it and was hit high on the pads. The ball then goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a run in the process.

Nuwan Pradeep to Kane Williamson. Fuller on middle, Williamson works it to mid-wicket for a run.

Nuwan Pradeep to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Errs in line and length and was punished for that. Not that short on middle, Kane pulls it through fine leg for a boundary.

Nuwan Pradeep to Kane Williamson. Strays on his pads, Kane flicks it through fine leg for a couple of runs.

Thisara Perera to Kane Williamson. Fraction full, Kane pushes it towards mid off and takes off. Malinga at mid off has a shy at the non-striker's end but Kane makes it in time.

Thisara Perera to Kane Williamson. Fuller on off, KW pushes it straight to the bowler.

Thisara Perera to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Classic Williamson. Length delivery on middle, Kane comes down the track and lobs it over mid on for a beautiful boundary.

Thisara Perera to Kane Williamson. A touch short on this occasion on middle, Kane pushes it towards point.

Thisara Perera to Ross Taylor. Fraction too straight, Ross flicks it towards mid on for a run.

Thisara Perera to Ross Taylor. Fuller on middle, Ross works it towards mid-wicket.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Similar delivery, Ross flicks it to the leg side and keeps the strike with that.

Nuwan Pradeep to Kane Williamson. On middle and leg, Williamson tucks it around the corner for a run.

Nuwan Pradeep to Kane Williamson. Bumper this time on middle, Kane nicely ducks underneath it.

Nuwan Pradeep to Kane Williamson. Good shot but straight to the bowler. It was a fuller delivery on middle, Kane drove it straight to the bowler.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Drifts on his pads, Taylor flicks it through square leg for a single.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Fuller this time on middle, Ross defends it with a straight bat.

Thisara Perera to Kane Williamson. Outside off on this occasion, Kane defends it towards cover-point. Good first over from Perera, just two off it in the end.

Thisara Perera to Kane Williamson. Length ball on top of off stump, defended showing the full face of the bat by Williamson.

Thisara Perera to Ross Taylor. Well outside off, Ross is back in the crease and cuts this one away to third man for a single.

Thisara Perera to Ross Taylor. Length ball outside off once more, Taylor takes a pace down the ground before keeping it out towards cover.

Thisara Perera to Ross Taylor. Length ball just outside off, Taylor comes a little ahead and then turns it away towards the leg side but straight to the mid-wicket fielder.

Thisara Perera to Kane Williamson. Length ball outside off, guided towards third man for a single by Williamson.

Powerplay 2 time! Now, a maximum of 4 fielders can be put outside the ring. There is a bowling change as well. Thisara Perera to run in...

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Length ball on leg stump to end the over, pushed towards mid-wicket. Another maiden! Two on the trot. Rare these days in limited-overs cricket. Sri Lanka pulling things back after a 9-run 8th over. Done with the first Powerplay.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Another ball on a length outside off, kept out back down the ground by RT.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Good length ball again on off and middle, turned away towards mid-wicket.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Good lines from Pradeep. Gets this on the off stump line, Ross defends watchfully back to the bowler.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Fuller length on middle and leg, pushed towards mid-wicket again off the front foot.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Length ball on middle and leg, worked towards mid-wicket by Taylor.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. Ooh! Almost got him in front there! On a length on middle stump and swinging away a little late. Williamson adjusts well in the end to keep the ball out. Had he missed, he would have been plumb in front. Maiden over!

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. Swinging away this one on a length outside off, guided towards gully with an angled bat by Williamson.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. This time delivers this ball on middle, pushed back with soft hands towards Malinga by KW.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. A length ball but the line is middle and leg on this occasion. Defended towards mid wicket.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. Slightly shorter in length, outside off. Williamson rocks back and pushes this towards cover.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. Hurls this on a length outside off, Kane defends off the back foot.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Good length ball outside off to end, watchfully kept out by the batsman.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Outside off on a length, defended back towards the bowler by Taylor.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Length ball outside off, Ross comes ahead and defends into the ground.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Middle and leg line once more, Taylor misses his flick and gets hit on the thigh pad this time though.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Another boundary! Short of a length on middle and the ball goes very slowly onto Taylor. He has all the time in the world to pull this away through mid-wicket again. Two fours in two balls.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Too straight and on the pads, flicked away easily in the huge gap through mid wicket. Runs away to the fence.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. WIDE! Put well down leg side on this occasion,the batsman cannot connect his shot.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. Outside off on a length, Ross cuts it away to third man for a single. Keeps strike.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. Sprays onto the pads this time, Taylor misses his flick and gets hit on the pad. The ball looked like a slower off cutter. Slight appeal but it was going down leg. Two leg byes are taken as the ball runs towards the vacant square leg region.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. Outside off on a good length, Taylor defends it towards cover-point.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. Trademark Williamson! Outside off and Kane pushes it in the gap wide of cover with total control. The ball does not have the legs to reach the fence as the fielder dives to keep the ball just inside. Three runs are taken till it comes back though.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. Good length ball outside off, kept out towards cover from the crease.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. Length ball on middle and leg at a gentle pace. Williamson comes half-ahead and defends.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, Taylor plays it down towards mid on from the inner half of his blade.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Taylor has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Nearly does a Munro. Pradeep puts it on a shorter length outside off and Taylor rocks back to slap it square of the wicket on the off side. But the ball doesn't rise much and gathers the inside edge. It narrowly misses the sticks before speeding away to the fine leg fence.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Uppish! This pitch is already acting up. Once again the ball sticks a bit on the surface as it lands on a full length on middle. Taylor tries to flick but is early into the shot. Ends up pushing it aerially but safely towards mid on.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Once again Nuwan lands it on a length just outside off, Ross is behind the line as he blocks it back with a straight bat.

Nuwan Pradeep to Ross Taylor. Begins his spell with a length ball around off, angling in, Taylor gets forward and defends it back.

Nuwan Pradeep is the first bowling change. Two slips and a gully in place.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. FIVE RUNS! Poor judgement of a run followed by overthrows! Lots of chaos out there in the middle. Length ball outside off and Taylor pushes it with soft hands just wide of mid off. Sets off for a single but the ball was timed just a little too well and went to Thisara Perera at mid off quite fast. He picks it up cleanly and throws it at the non-striker's end, all in one go. The ball misses the stumps though, would have been really close had he hit. The fielder backing up cannot get around in time and four overthrows result. Sri Lanka won't mind though, things are happening for them and the NZ batsmen seem to be in a little panic mode here. It is a 50-over game, can take a little more time here to settle down.

Lasith Malinga to Ross Taylor. Good ball first up to the new batsman. Fuller length on middle and slightly swinging away late. Taylor does well to bring his bat down in time and defend it back down towards the bowler.

Ross Taylor walks in next with New Zealand in a spot of bother.

Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. OUT! Chopped on! Would you believe it! Outside off, pretty wide that too. Colin Munro goes for the expansive drive but the ball tails in ever so slightly and takes the inside edge. It goes back to knock the off stump. The southpaw can't believe his luck and waits for a second at the crease before walking back in disgust. SL and Malinga have two inside the fifth over.

Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. FOUR! Slower ball, 110.5 clicks only but Munro has read it out of the hands. Waits for the ball to come at him outside off stump and he cuts it away in the gap. The ground has enough pace on it to take the ball to the fence.

Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. Fuller on this occasion, almost sneaks through. Munro does well to jam it away towards square leg.

Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. Length ball on middle and coming in slightly, Munro turns this away square on the leg side for a couple.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. Another good ball outside off to end the over, KW looks to push it on the off side but it gets the bottom edge and the ball drops down right on the pitch. Good over other than that one ball on the pads.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. Length ball outside off, Kane angles his bat and pushes this ball towards gully.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Cannot bowl there with a 7-2 off side field. A tough field no doubt but Chameera has to look to keep the ball outside off. Throws this on the pads of Williamson who happily flicks it away in the gap through mid-wicket all the way for a boundary. Easy pickings.

Dushmantha Chameera to Kane Williamson. Good line and length from Chameera. Just on top of off stump, defended back down by Kane coming a little ahead.

Dushmantha Chameera to Colin Munro. Length ball and coming in with the angle on middle and leg. Colin works it away to deep mid-wicket for a single here.

Dushmantha Chameera to Colin Munro. Around the wicket, bowled at a length on middle. Kept out by Munro.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. Length ball outside off, Williamson defends this from within the crease to end the over.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. Well left outside off by the NZ skipper this time.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. Hurls this on middle and leg, defended with soft hands back down the ground.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. Beaten! Outside off, and shapes away pretty late. Williamson was on the crease trying to defend this on the off side. The ball beats him on the outside.

Lasith Malinga to Kane Williamson. EDGED AND FOUR! That was the difference between Guptill and Williamson. Why Williamson is still out there is because of his soft hands on this one. Another length ball outside off and swinging away a little, Kane waits for the ball to come at him unlike Guptill on the previous ball. The ball takes the edge but does not carry to slip. Runs wide of him and fine for a boundary. Good bowling though from Lasith.

The captain Kane Williamson comes to bat at no. 3.

Lasith Malinga to Martin Guptill. OUT! Caught at gully! Malinga strikes again early, just like he has done in the past two matches. Throws this one outside off on a length, Guptill pushes at it with hard hands. The ball moves away a bit and goes off the thick outside edge. Carries to Kusal Mendis at gully, at a good height. Easy catch taken. Sri Lanka draw first blood. Guptill departs early, a big wicket as we know what he can do when he plays a big innings.

Dushmantha Chameera to Colin Munro. EDGED AND FOUR! Outside off on a length, Munro goes to cut but gets a thick outside edge that flies wide of slip. Third man is square, the ball runs away to the fence. 14 from the over, an expensive beginning from Chameera.

Dushmantha Chameera to Martin Guptill. Brings it outside off on a length, Martin Guptill is ahead to push this ball down the ground. Gets a thick outside edge that runs wide of point for a single down to third man.

Dushmantha Chameera to Martin Guptill. Good length ball on middle to the right-hander. Guptill is ahead in defense.

Dushmantha Chameera to Colin Munro. Around the wicket, hurled in at the thigh pads, jammed away on to the leg side coming half-forward. Single taken.

Dushmantha Chameera to Colin Munro. FOUR! Two in two! Slower ball this time as Chameera just rolls his fingers over on the ball as he delivered it. The batsman actually was deceived as Munro tried to lift it over mid off. Gets just enough to go over the head of the fielder and to the fence for a boundary. Expensive start from Dushmantha.

Dushmantha Chameera to Colin Munro. FOUR! Welcomed with a boundary. Length ball outside off, a gentle loosener. Munro drives and gets it in the gap through the covers. Short boundary there and a definite four.

Dushmantha Chameera to bowl with the other new ball.

Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. Outside off on a length to end the over, Munro tries to drive but gets the inside half of the bat and the ball rolls onto the leg side towards mid-wicket. A quick single taken and Munro retains strike. Signs of this pitch being a bit slow already showing.

Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. The radar is back to just outside leg, Munro is early into his flick and misses the ball to get hit on the thigh pad. No run though.

Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. Goes outside off on this occasion, Colin goes for the drive but misses the ball. Another one that goes to the keeper on the bounce.

Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. Straying on to the pads of the left-hander. Munro jams it out on the leg side without much foot movement.

Lasith Malinga to Martin Guptill. Better bounce on this occasion, on length outside off again. Guptill pushes it towards mid off and sets off for a quick single. NZ and Martin off the mark.

Lasith Malinga to Martin Guptill. A length ball outside off to start off with, the ball seems to have held up in the surface and Guptill who was looking to defend misses the ball. It goes on a bounce to the keeper, the first ball of the day!

The two opening batsmen, Martin Guptill and Colin Munro are out in the middle. Fielders in position. Lasith Malinga to start proceedings for the Lankans. Two slips in place. Last ODI set to get underway! Let's go...

Pitch report - Mark Richardson with the pitch report. He says it looks like a perfect batting surface. Also says there is a tinge of green grass which will help the pacers with the new ball. Reckons if the bowlers put the ball in right areas, they will get wickets here. Mentions the ground is not that big, especially square of the wicket and there could be a lot of runs. Also adds 275 is a par score here and teams chasing have won 7 out of 9 games.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson says that even he would have opted to bowl. Reckons that the surface looks a good one. Suggests that they will have to bat well initially. Says that they have made one change to their side where Lockie Ferguson comes in for Trent Boult. Ends saying that they will look to improve their fielding.

Sri Lankan skipper Lasith Malinga says that their batters are chasing well in the past two games so he wants to do the same thing again. Mentions that they have to bowl well in the first innings. Reckons that the middle order has not been in the best form and wants to correct that. Suggests there is a good chance for them to win the game. Says that they have made three changes to the side. Dinesh Chandimal, Asela Gunaratne and Seekkuge Prasanna are out. Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva and Dushmantha Chameera are in.

TOSS - Lasith Malinga wins the toss and SRI LANKA WILL FIELD!

For New Zealand, they are yet to get a convincing win in spite of bagging the series. In both games, they got a scare and were lucky to be on the winning side. Much like the visiting team, their bowling hasn't been on top while there were as many as six catches put down (technically) which nearly cost them the last match. The Black Caps would like to fine-tune these areas months before the World Cup. They might shuffle their playing XI for this match and that will give Sri Lanka an opportunity to taste their first success on this tour. We are expecting yet another cracking contest. Stay with us for more updates...

Welcome ladies and gentlemen for the third ODI with the series already settled in favour of the home team! The action now shifts to Nelson after a couple of exciting ODIs in Mount Maunganui. A scintillating 74-ball 140 by Thisara Perera brought Sri Lanka within sight of an outstanding win in the last match but as has been the case with them, they somehow fail to cross the final hurdle. Even in the first match, Kusal Perera's valiant century gave them hope but once again the collective batting effort was lacking. They would hope for things to change and improve for better in the last match to avoid a clean sweep. Bowling is another area the tourists would like to work on as they have been conceding runs at a brisk rate at the death with their bowlers unable to create pressure (by picking wickets) in the middle.