New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI at Nelson, SL in NZ, Jan 08 2019 - Ball by Ball Commentary

6.37pm That's all we have for you from this ODI series. On behalf of Akshay and Thilak, this is Saurabh signing off.

6.30pm And, Ross Taylor is the Man of the Match: "You get nervous at the start of every innings but it helps having played 100 games. I'm just trying to keep things simple and not think too much when I go out there. We've done the donkey work through the middle and put the icing on the cake at the end. Henry Nicholls batted outstandingly well. He made my job a lot easier, was busy and set the tone from ball one. I'm sure it'll be one of many hundreds to come for him."

Lasith Malinga: "After the first 30-35 overs, the last 15 overs are not going well. We have time to work that out before the World Cup. We still need to improve our middle order batting. I feel that before the next tournament, they will adjust to the conditions and learn. I think Thisara and Kusal did a very good job. I'm a bit disappointed with the bowling, we have to improve in the end 15 overs. This is the second time I'm leading the team and I've really enjoyed it because I've played a lot of cricket with them. I have to enjoy with t hem and pass on my knowledge to them."

Kane Williamson: "The improvement seen throughout the series (is what I enjoyed most). Today's performance was a step up from the first two matches from a bowling perspective. We have been under pressure at various points and responded well. It's been a testing series. Fantastic hundred from Rossco and Henry Nicholls came in and finished it brilliantly. It's been very good to see guys come out and execute their roles. We need to keep doing that again, we have another series coming up. (World Cup) hopefully we're getting answers to a few things. As a group I think you just want to keep improving."

6.22pm The first two matches were close thanks to Sri Lanka finding a batsman who stood up and took New Zealand on. That perhaps masked their overall weakness. When that didn't happen today, save for Thisara again today though they were chasing a much bigger total, they unravelled quickly. This is as comprehensive as a win gets, and the 3-0 scoreline doesn't flatter New Zealand either. They were clearly the better team. Hang around and we'll have the presentations for you.

slip in place.

Samrat Ahuja: "Really impressed by Lockie! He is slowly but surely becoming a decent limited overs bowler with his around the wicket short balls barrage to right handed batsmen, targeting their ribs! " - with his pace, if he gets his radar right, he'll be a threat against any opposition, on any surface

SteveB: "The interesting thing is, if you'd presented Sri Lanka yesterday with the option of Guptill out for 2, both openers on 31 & KW out for 55, they would have jumped at it and been grateful, with an eye towards total victory. But NZ have been in control of this match!"

Thanks Akshay.

Thisara's gone, but can SL still make something out of the game? Seems unlikely at the moment, but Saurabh's here to tell you. Over and out from me.

Aaron: "@elwarko and just three balls later... 'I see red, I see red, I see red!'"

Saleem: "Yes friend, @elwarko, Good Night."

kushansri: "At leaat im happy to see that they are fighting.. thats something lack of this sri lankan side in the past few years.... "