Kusal Mendis hit a gritty 74 not out as Sri Lanka posted a thrilling three-wicket win against New Zealand to clinch the three-match one-day international series on Sunday. It was also Sri Lanka's first win in an ODI series over the Black Caps in 12 years.

Sri Lanka elected to field after winning the toss in the second ODI against New Zealand. Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando led the team to victory in the first match, using the DLS method due to rain.

Kusal Mendis crashed 143 off 127 balls, Avishka Fernando hit 100 off 115, and together the pair put on a 206-run stand that formed the bulk of Sri Lanka’s 324 for 5 in Dambulla. Only 49.2 overs of Sri Lanka’s innings was possible,

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field in the second one-day international against New Zealand on Sunday. Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando smashed centuries in Sri Lanka's 45-run win under the DLS method in a rain-affected first ODI on Wednesday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando made centuries, and put on 206 together to send Sri Lanka to a commanding score. Then, once rain had reduced New Zealand’s chase to 27 overs, Sri Lanka’s spinners reaped five wickets for 22 runs to derail the visitors after their openers had made a strong start.

Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando both slammed centuries to set up a convincing 45-run victory for Sri Lanka in the rain-interrupted first one-day international against New Zealand on Wednesday. Kusal,

Kusal Mendis overcame injury to score a workmanlike half-century that helped Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by three wickets in their rain-shortened second one-day international at Pallekele on Sunday and clinch the three-match series 2-0.

DAMBULLA: Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by 45 runs via DLS method to win the first One-day International match of the series after Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis struck fine centuries at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium here on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis, right, is congratulated by teammate Avishka Fernando for completing his century during the first ODI cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, on November 13, 2024 | Photo Credit: AP

Will Young, Tim Robinson, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Hay (WK), Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy. Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live Score: Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka,

Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando smash centuries against a new-look New Zealand as Sri Lanka cruised to a 45-run win under the DLS method in a rain-hit first ODI at Dambulla.