New Zealand decided to bat first after winning the toss in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka Pallekele. The hosts have already secured a historic series win after 12 years.
Experienced pacer Adam Milne returned to the New Zealand side, along with Zakary Foulkes, as Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy missed out.
Sri Lanka made five changes to their lineup. Seam-bowling all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe earned his maiden ODI cap, becoming Sri Lanka’s 215th ODI player, replacing Dunith Wellalage. Additionally, Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz and Dilshan Madushanka were brought in, replacing Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, and Asitha Fernando.
Playing XI
Sri Lanka: Nishan Madushka (WK), Avishka Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Mohamed Shiraz, Dilshan Madushanka
New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitch Hay (WK), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Ish Sodhi, Zakary Foulkes, Adam Milne