Sri Lanka’s cricket board has announced that star batsman Kusal Mendis and three other key players will be rested for the third and final one-day international (ODI) against New Zealand on Tuesday. The decision comes after Sri Lanka secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Mendis, who has been in scintillating form, scoring 143 in the rain-shortened first ODI and an unbeaten 74 in the second, will be given a break to recover and prepare for the upcoming Test series in South Africa. Joining him on the sidelines will be Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, and Pathum Nissanka.
“The decision was taken by the selectors to give the above players adequate time to recover and prepare for the upcoming Test series in South Africa,” Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.
In their place, top-order batsmen Nuwanidu Fernando and Lahiru Udara, as well as fast bowler Eshan Malinga, have been added to the squad. Fernando and Udara will be looking to make their ODI debuts, while Malinga, a veteran of 226 ODIs, will be aiming to add to his tally of 338 wickets in the format.
Sri Lanka will be aiming to complete a clean sweep of the series in the final ODI at Pallekele. The hosts have been in impressive form, with Mendis leading the way with his batting exploits. However, New Zealand will be determined to avoid a whitewash and will be looking to their experienced players, such as captain Kane Williamson and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, to step up.
The Test series against South Africa is scheduled to begin on March 31, and Sri Lanka will be keen to give their key players a chance to rest and recharge before the challenge of facing the Proteas.
