The third one-day international between New Zealand and Sri Lanka has been abandoned after persistent rain halted play for a third time at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Rain initially forced players from the field for more than an hour after 18 overs, with the Black Caps 1-88 after losing skipper Brendon McCullum for 28 off 22 balls.
But only another seven overs were bowled before rain again swept in when New Zealand were 1- 131.
Play stopped for a third time after 28.5 overs when the Black Caps were 3-145.
Opener Martin Guptill anchored New Zealand's innings after Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews won the toss and opted to bowl.
Guptill had struggled to make an impact in the opening two ODIs, improving on a two-ball duck in Christchurch only marginally in making 10 in Hamilton four days later.
But at Eden Park on Saturday, Guptill paced his innings well, striking an unbeaten 66 off 78 balls, including four fours and three sixes.
He put on 40 with McCullum for the first wicket, then combined with Tom Latham in adding 99 for the second.
Guptill brought up his 3000th ODI run early in the 21st over, slamming Thisara Perera over deep midwicket for six.
Latham disappeared late in the 27th over for 42, chopping onto his stumps after trying to cut Mathews, and was followed an over later by Ross Taylor, trapped lbw by Mathews for three before rain again stopped play.
Mathews grabbed all three wickets, getting 3-21 off his 6.5 overs.
The Black Caps continued their rotation policy looking towards next month's World Cup, bringing back left-armer Mitchell McClenaghan for Trent Boult, and replacing speedster Adam Milne with Tim Southee.
The seven-match series is tied at one game apiece.
The fourth ODI is scheduled for Tuesday at Saxton Oval in Nelson.
Share
