In the last game of the series, Mitchell Santner, the captain of New Zealand, shared his opinions on the defeat and said that this was not how he intended it to go.

The Charith Asalanka-led team won the third and final match of the ODI series by 140 runs at Eden Park on Saturday because to outstanding performances from spinners Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, and Eshan Malinga, which prevented hosts New Zealand from recording a clean sweep.

“A little disappointed; the series probably didn’t end the way we expected it to. Sri Lanka deserves praise for putting up a fight and challenging us early on. It was difficult to recover from that. They made it difficult and got the ball swinging. That’s what we did all through the series.We’ll take it on the chin, I suppose. There were many positive aspects of the series, including the men fulfilling their responsibilities. The boys did a great job in the series against a very strong team, and their squad depth is exceptional. “We’ll prepare and adjust as best we can because we’re going to Pakistan, where conditions will change,” Mitchell Santner said at the post-match presentation, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

In the third and last game of the ODI series in Auckland, Charith Asanka chose to bat first after winning the toss.

The Asian Lions, who batted first, lost eight wickets in their 50 overs while scoring 290 runs. The team’s top scorers were Kamindu Mendis (46 runs off 71 balls, three sixes and two fours), Janith Liyange (53 runs in 52 balls, three fours and two sixes), Kusal Mendis (54 runs off 48 balls, five fours and two sixes), and Pathum Nissanka (66 runs off 42 balls, six fours and five sixes).

Matt Henry was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking four wickets in his ten overs while conceding 55 runs throughout his tenure. Mitchell Santner claimed two wickets during his innings, while Nathan Smith and Michael Bracewell both claimed one wicket.

New Zealand was bowled out for 150 in only 29.4 overs in response to Sri Lanka’s 290-run total. Mark Chapman scored 81 runs off 81 balls, 10 fours, and one six. Nathan Smith scored 17 runs from 29 balls, one four. Michael Bracewell scored 13 runs in 20 balls, one four, and one six. Matt Henry scored 12 runs off 6 balls, one four, and one six. There were also 21 extras (18 wides, two leg byes, and one no ball) in this innings.

In their individual periods, Fernando (3/26 in 7 overs), Theekshana (3/35 in 7.4 overs), and Malinga (3/35 in 7 overs) each claimed three wickets for Sri Lanka. In his three overs, Janith Liyange claimed one wicket while giving up 16 runs.

The Blackcaps won the three-match ODI series 2-1 in spite of this defeat. Kiwis right-arm seamer Matt Henry won Player of the Series for his outstanding play in the three series matches, while Asitha Fernando won Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling in the last game.