New Zealand will meet Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka to play 3 ODIs and 2 T20Is. New Zealand and Sri Lanka will meet each other in the first T20I of the series at Dambulla stadium on 9th November 2024.
Match Preview:
New Zealand with an inexperienced squad led by Mitchell Santner will look to beat a Sri Lankan side led by Asalanka.
Sri Lanka recently won a T20 series against West Indies with Pathum Nisanka being the best player
The New Zealand team has been out of action since the T20 World Cup. They will look to bounce back from their disappointing World Cup campaign and beat Sri Lanka in their home conditions.
Several key players have returned home to rest ahead of their upcoming three-match Test series against England.
“With the packed schedule, some of the boys felt it was best to head home and prepare for the England series. We have plenty of white-ball cricket ahead, and it’s a chance to give some fresh faces a go,”
“Our white-ball squad at the moment is getting on the older side,” conceded Santner on the eve of the first T20I. “So giving these guys a chance to play international cricket, get a feel for it, and when they do maybe break through into that full-strength team. It’s a great series for them to play.”
From New Zealand all eyes will be on captain Mitchell Santner and the way he leads his team. Besides him, Will Young will play a key role with the bat while Chapman and Philips would expect to play an all-round role. Ferguson will lead the fast-bowling attack.
For Sri Lanka Nissanka will be the main guy as he is the only Sri Lankan to make the top 10 in ICC rankings. Besides him, Kamindu Mendis will be the key player for Sri Lanka as he has been top-notch in the recent past, showing promising performances both in red and white ball cricket.
The likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana can threaten any batting lineup.
“Our strength has always been spin, but if this weather sticks around, we might have to bring in an extra seamer instead” said Asalanka
So, Sri Lanka set all set for this upcoming clash against the side who dethroned India at their backyard.
Probable Playing XI:
Sri Lanka:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Parera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanidu Hasaranga, Dinuth Wellalage, Nuwan Tushara, Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana
New Zealand:
Tim Robinson, Will Young, Mitchell Hay, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Santner, Zakary Foulkes, Ish Sodhi, Duffy, Lockie Ferguson
Pitch and weather report:
Pitch in Dambulla usually favours the spinners so scoring runs might be a challenge for batsmen.
Head-to-head record:
New Zealand and Sri Lanka have played each other in 23 matches. Out of which 13 have been won by New Zealand and 9 matches have been won by Sri Lanka.
Predictions:
Sri Lanka will take advantage of their home conditions and beat New Zealand.
Where to watch:
India: SonyLiv App
Pakistan: Tapmad
Sri Lanka: Supreme TV, Sony Sports Ten 5 HD – Ch no.124, Ten Cricket – Ch no.65, Sony Sports Ten 5
New Zealand: Sky Sports
UK: TNT Sports 2
Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan: Sony Liv
