Sri Lanka opt to bat in 3rd T20 against New Zealand

Kandy - Sri Lanka skipper Lasith Malinga won the toss and elected to bat first in their bid for a consolation win in the third Twenty20 international against New Zealand in Kandy on Friday.

The hosts, who trail the three-match series 2-0, have made two changes to their starting line-up from the previous loss on Tuesday.

Kusal Mendis and Shehan Jayasuriya have been ruled out after being injured during an on-field collision in the last game. Danushka Gunathilaka and Lahiru Madushanka have made the cut.

New Zealand, led by Tim Southee, have made three changes to their team that eyes a series sweep.

Fit-again Ross Taylor, Hamish Rutherford and Todd Astle make the XI in place of Martin Guptill, Tom Bruce and Ish Sodhi.

Teams:

Sri Lanka

Lasith Malinga (capt), Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Lahiru Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Isuru Udana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan

New Zealand

Tim Southee (capt), Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Hamish Rutherford, Colin de Grandhomme, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Seifert, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Todd Astle

Umpires: Prageeth Rambukwella (SRI) and Lyndon Hannibal (SRI)

TV umpire: Raveendra Wimalasiri (SRI)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)