Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI at Kandy, SL v ZIM, Jan 21 2022 - Match Result

It's been a fascinating series with a lot of young talent on display. A real shame for the visitors that it ended the way it did, but they can definitely take back a host of positives. Sri Lanka meanwhile will love that they managed to get the series win with so many first team players sidelined. If nurtured correctly, this is an exciting bunch of cricketers coming through for Sri Lanka. And on that note, it's farewell from us! Good night!

SL captain Dasun Shanaka: "We played really good cricket throughout, but I think winning the toss played a really big role, especially today. It was more on the slower side, we thought 270 would be ideal, so we felt we were maybe 20 runs short. But we always knew we were in it with our spinners were always in with a chance. It's really good to have so many good players sitting out, we haven't had such depth for many years and it's a good sign for Sri Lanka cricket for the coming years."

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine.: "We've put in some really good performances in the first two games, but it's really disappointing to end the series with a display like that. The wicket was really dry, and it was always going to be difficult to bat later on, we knew that. But we were blown away in those first few overs. In terms of positives, our opening partnership is definitely a plus. Kaitano has been great and I'm sure he's gonna be around for a while.

Asalanka says the pitch wasn't the best to bat on, and his goal was simply to stay at the crease for about 15-20 overs. Nissanka says he's of course pleased with the award, and that while batting at the top of the order is a new challenge - he has batted in the middle order for most of his domestic career - he is happy to take it on for the team.

Charith Asalanka is Man of the Match for his 56-ball 52, while Pathum Nissanka is Man of the Series for his 55 today and 75 in the opening game.

Nice moment here in the post-match presentation as Tendai Chatara is presented with special plaque for being the fastest Zimbabwean to 100 wickets in ODIs.

Tinura: "Vandersay's accuracy is improved massively after his last international appearance back in 2019 WC. Turn and bounce was also their with him, but accuracy was the missing part of the jigzaw. Now he seems to have it too."

8.40pm So Sri Lanka secure a comprehensive 185 run win in this third and final ODI, though the margin of victory doesn't do justice to how well this inexperienced Zimbabwe side have performed. They gave the home side a run for their money, but when it mattered, chasing under lights, they couldn't quite cope with the pressure.

Credit where it's due though. The Sri Lankan bowlers turned up today. Chameera set the tone with two wickets in two balls, including the crucial wicket of Craig Ervine for a duck. Then Maheesh Theekshana castled Sean Williams. With both of Sri Lanka's tormentors out of the way, a modest target of 255 began to look a lot steeper. Then on a pitch that was conducive to spin, Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay and Ramesh Mendis ensured there would be no way back for the visitors. Vandersay would cap a fantastic series with figures of 4 for 10, making it 9 wickets in the series - comfortably the series' top wicket taker.

So last man in now. It's Ngarava.

Chatara has to face just the one ball from Theekshana.

Theekshana returns...