SL vs NZ: Kusal & Kamindu Mendis Among Four Rested by Sri Lanka For Final ODI With South Africa Tour in Mind

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Sri Lanka has released four regulars including Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis ahead of the third and final ODI against New Zealand, scheduled to be played on Tuesday (November 19) at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

With the series already won 2-0, Sri Lanka has rested the Mendis duo as well as Pathum Nissanka and Asitha Fernando with the upcoming Test tour to South Africa in mind.

Of the four rested players, Kusal had an outstanding outing in the ODI series with 217 runs from two games. Along with Kusal, Kamindu, Nissanka and Asitha have been regulars for Sri Lanka over the last few months.

The selectors took the call to give the above players adequate time to rest and prepare for the South Africa Tests. Nuwanidu Fernando, Lahiru Udara, and Eshan Malinga have been added to the ODI squad for the final match.

Sri Lanka ended its dreadful run against New Zealand in the ODIs with their first series win since November 2012. After 12 years of wait, Sri Lanka finally got the better of the Blackcaps and earned bragging rights with a narrow 3-wicket win in Pallekele.

After a 3-0 ODI series win in 2012, the success in 2024 marked the first instance of Sri Lanka wrapping up the series against New Zealand. During those 12 years, Sri Lanka met New Zealand on five occasions, lost four, and held the Kiwis once for a draw.

The third and final ODI of the ongoing series will be played on November 19 in Pallekele. The two-match Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka begins on November 27. The first game will be played in Durban, while the following Test takes place in Gqeberha.

Sri Lanka squad for 3rd ODI vs New Zealand

Charith Asalanka (captain), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Kusal Perera, Eshan Malinga, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Mohamed Shiraz.