SL in NZ: Rain-hit third ODI called off

The third ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka was called off a short while ago after heavy rain stopped the match when the home side was on 145 for the loss of 3 wickets in 28.5 overs in Auckland today (17).   Put into bat first New Zealand fared well at the start but lost two wickets in quick sessions.   But the match was stopped when it reached 28.5 overs in the New Zealand innings.   Rain did not cease until 8.00pm local time which prompted the umpires to call off the match.   New Zealand opener Martin Guptill remained unbeaten on 66 off 78 deliveries inclusive of four boundaries and three sixes while Sri Lanka skipper claimed all three wickets that fell.   Sri Lanka was set to chase a target of 203 runs in 28 overs under Duckworth/Lewis Method if the match restarted.   Overcast conditions caused a delay-start and the match was cut down to 43 overs per-side.   New Zealand made two changes by bringing in Mitchell McClenaghan and Tim Southee in place of Trent Boult and Adam Milne.   Sri Lanka dropped left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for seamer Dhammika Prasad.   The fourth ODI will be played at Nelson on Tuesday (20).   New Zealand 145 for 3 wickets (28.5) when rain stopped play (Martil Guptill 66n.o, Brendon McCullum 28, Tom Latham 42, Angelo Mathews 3/21) vs Sri Lanka   New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (Capt), Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Luke Ronchi (wk), Corey Anderson, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan.   Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, TM Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews (Capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Thissara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Dhammika Prasad.