Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023

NZ vs SL, 3rd ODI 

Preview 

Sri Lanka will look to level the series when they take the field against New Zealand on Friday  for the third and final ODI match of the series. New Zealand won the opening encounter comprehensively while the second match was washed out due to heavy rains at Christchurch. The visitors will have to put their best forward if they want a favourable outcome. 

New Zealand will be pleased with their performance in the series opener, and the break would have served well for them as they look to emulate their performance at Hamilton too. 

Tom Latham will be delighted with the way his players have turned up for the series. Henry Shipwell, who has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit, has continued with his form on the international stage too as he registered a fifer in the first match. Blair Tickner and Matt Henry had a decent outing in the Test series earlier on this tour and will add variety to this pace attack.  The spin pair of Ish Sodhi and Rachin Ravindra didn’t get a chance to bowl in the first ODI and will be raring to go here. The hosts have a solid batting lineup and the majority of its top and middle order batters are in excellent form. Finn Allen scored a splendid half century and stitched crucial partnerships with Will Young and Daryl Mitchell to propel New Zealand to a match winning total. Rachin, who was making his ODI debut in the first game was unlucky to miss out on a well deserved half century. 

Sri Lanka was outplayed in all three departments by the hosts. While the bowlers did a relatively better job on a tough wicket. Batters failed to contribute and make the most of the batting friendly conditions. With their second match getting washed out, Sri Lanka’s chances of earning a direct entry into the forthcoming ODI World Series have diminished significantly as they will now have to rely on the results of other matches.  Pathum Nissanka and Nuwanidu are once again expected to open the innings for the visitors and will be eyeing to give a good start. However, we believe Kusal Mendis will be SL’s key man with bat in hand. He was dismissed for a duck in the opening ODI even after facing more than a dozen balls.  The team has plenty of all rounders in their ranks but the scoring responsibility will mainly fall on the shoulders of Angelo Matthews, Dasun Shanaka and Chairth Asalanka. Lahiru Kumara, Wanindu Hasaranga will be the bowlers to keep an eye on. 

Match Details

Match: NZ vs SL, 3rd ODI, Sri Lanka tour New Zealand, 2023

Date: Friday, March 31, 2023

Time: 6:30 AM

Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton

Pitch and Weather Report

The Seddon Park pitch is quite well balanced, offering equal assistance to the bowlers as well as the batsman. Batters will enjoy the bounce and fancy playing their shots on the up. The green patches on the pitch will allow quick bowlers to get some swing and movement off the track. Anything above 250 will be difficult for either of these teams to chase. 

Cloudy skies with temperatures below 20 degree celsius is forecasted for the match. 

NZ vs SL Squads

NZ: Tom Latham (c & wk), Henry Nicholls, Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Ben Lister, Tom Blundell

SL: Kusal Mendis (wk), Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pramod Madushan, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana

NZ vs SL Probable Playing XIs

NZ: Henry Nicholls, Chad Bowes, Will Young, Tom Latham (c&wk), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Blair Tickner, Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi.

SL: Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana/Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha.

Match Prediction

New Zealand were too hand to handle for Sri Lanka in the opening encounter. We expect them to continue their winning momentum and finish the series 2-0. 

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