Sri Lanka vs New Zealand: Kiwis thrashing the Tigers at the crease

SAXTON: In the ongoing third T201 Sri Lanka vs New Zealand match at the Saxton Oval, the Kiwis are currently batting against the South Asian team.

As of the latest update, New Zealand has scored 95 runs at a loss of 2 wickets in 8.5 overs.

Read more: ICC Rankings: Saud Shakeel takes career-best spot

Despite the Black Hats leading the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand series 2-0, Kusal Perera made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan batter to reach 2,000 runs in T20I in this match.

His teammate, Kusal Mendis, is the next closest player, holding 1,920 runs at the moment in the sport’s shortest format.

The Sri Lanka vs New Zealand match started under terrible weather conditions, with heavy rains impacting the outfield.

The toss was delayed by half an hour as the ground staff worked to prepare the pitch.

The Kiwis won the toss for the second consecutive time in the series and opted to bat first. Many pointed to the wet fields as influencing the captain’s decision to field first.

New Zealand won the first match of the series by eight runs and the second by 45 runs. They have retained the same lineup for the third match.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka made two changes to their lineup, with Chamindu Wickramsinghe and Bhanuka Rajapaksa replacing Kamindu Mendis and Matheesha Pathirana.

Sri Lankan captain, Charith Asalanka, admitted the loss in first two games of the series, stating that “We have been playing some decent cricket but we have failed to set off the games”.

Sri Lankan innings

In their innings, the South Asian tigers scored 218 runs in their allotted 20 overs, at a loss of 5 wickets. Kusal Perera scored the highest (101) at a loss of 46 balls.

Charith Asalanka scored the second highest (46) in 24 balls before being caught out by Glenn Philips bowled by Zakary Foulkes.

Kusal Mendis scored 22, Avishka Fernando 17 and Pathum Nissanka 14, respectively. Meanwhile, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Chamindu Wickramsinghe both scored 6 runs at a loss of 5 and 6 balls respectively.

Read more: Carey backs paceman Starc to win fitness race ahead of final test

The partnership between Perera and Asalanka was crucial, as it helped cross 100 runs off 44 balls. By the mid-17^th over, Sri Lanka managed to cross the 200-mark, at a loss of 4 wickets.

Meanwhile, Perera was also able to reach his maiden T20I century.