New Zealand will host Sri Lanka for a three-match One-Day International series after defeating them 2-0 in the test series at home. The first ODI of the series will be played on March 25th at Eden Park in Auckland. The series will be crucial for Sri Lanka because it will be their last chance to gain direct qualification for the ICC World Cup 2023.
New Zealand won the two-match Test series 2-0, with the first game ending in a last-ball thriller. The test series results, however, will not provide much relief to Tom Latham’s home side, as they will be missing the leading run-scorer, Kane Williamson (337 runs), and Devon Conway due to IPL commitments. Tim Southee and Michael Bracewell will be unavailable for selection as well. This provides a good opportunity for Sri Lanka to get back on track before the ODI World Cup.
The 1st ODI between New Zealand vs Sri Lanka will take place on March 25th, 2023 at Eden Park, Auckland.
Match Details to Note
Match: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2023
Date: March 25, 2023 (Saturday)
Time: 6:30 AM IST
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
New Zealand (Match Odds – 1.37):
Preview:
With the majority of the squad heading to the IPL, skipper Tom Latham will face a monumental task in defending his team’s 22-year-old record of winning all ODI series against Sri Lanka at home. In Devon Conway’s absence, Finn Allen and Henry Nichols will open the innings. Allen and Nichols both averaged less than 30 in the previous two years. Will Young’s addition will be critical in New Zealand’s fight against the visitors. Young has two centuries in his last three games in New Zealand.
Latham will be in the middle, alongside Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell. In the last two years, Latham has scored 771 runs in 21 innings. This includes three centuries and two half-centuries, for a total of 45.35 years. All three of his centuries have come in New Zealand, where he averages 222 in six innings. In fact, he had scored 145 in 104 balls against India in the same venue while chasing 307 runs. He is our pick for best batter. Mitchell has been in top shape since last year. In his last three home games, he has averaged 122 points.
Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Blair Tickner will spearhead the bowling attack. Henry has taken 9 wickets in his last four home games. He was particularly effective against Sri Lanka. Henry has 21 wickets against the visitors in 8 innings. Ish Sodhi will take on the role of spinner for the team. It will be interesting to see whether New Zealand goes with Mark Chapman or gives Rachin Ravindra a chance.
Full Squad:
Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Tom Latham (wk), Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson, Neil Wagner, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner, Scott Kuggeleijn
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Players to watch out for:
Will Young, Tom Latham, Matt Henry
Possible Playing XI:
Tom Latham (c), Finn Allen, Henry Nichols, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Will Young, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner, Ish Sodhi, Mark Chapman
Sri Lanka (Match Odds – 3.10):
Preview:
Sri Lanka’s openers will most likely be Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. In the last two years, Nissanka has been Lanka’s second-leading run scorer. He has 607 runs scored in 18 innings for an average of 35.70. He has hit a home run in each of his last three innings. Mendis has had few opportunities in recent years. He has scored 101 runs in four games. At number three, Dhananjaya de Silva will bat next. Since 2021, De Silva has 498 runs in 20 innings.
Charith Asalanka will be our top batter pick. For the past two years, the middle-order batter has been Lanka’s leading run-scorer. In 21 innings, he has 791 runs scored at an average of 41.63. This period includes one century and six half-centuries. In the middle order, Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga will merge with Asalanka. Shanaka has played the most One-Day Internationals (ODIs) of the group. However, his average is only 28. Hasaranga has 393 runs scored in his career. However, his leg spin poses a greater threat to the hosts. Hasaranga has 21 wickets in 18 innings at a 4.91 economy rate (in the last two years).
Dushmantha Chameera, Sri Lanka’s most effective bowler, will be absent. So the entire burden will be placed on the shoulders of Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha. Rajitha has been outstanding in recent games. In seven innings, he has 14 wickets. Angelo Matthews should be added to Sri Lanka’s roster. He has the most runs and wickets against New Zealand despite being the oldest.
Full Squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Niroshan Dickewella (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Nishan Madushka (wk), Kusal Mendis (wk), Asitha Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kasun Rajitha, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ramesh Mendis, Vishwa Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Kumara, Chamika Karunaratne, Prabath Jayasuriya, Oshada Fernando
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Players to watch out for:
Charit Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka
Possible Playing XI:
Pathum Nisanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dunith Wellalage
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Head to Head
New Zealand and Sri Lanka have met in 99 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). New Zealand has won 49 of these 99 games, while Sri Lanka has triumphed on 41 occasions. Eight matches ended in a tie. 1 match ended in a tie. New Zealand has won the last five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against Sri Lanka. Their most recent meeting was during the 2019 World Cup, which the Black Caps won by 10 wickets.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Head to Head Stats in ODIs
| Matches Played | NZ Won | SL Won | Tie | NR | |
| Overall | 99 | 49 | 41 | 1 | 8 |
| Last 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Toss Prediction
In 82 One-Day Internationals, the team batting second has won 46 times. At this venue, New Zealand has successfully chased down 337 runs against Australia. The team that wins the coin toss should bowl first.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Pitch Report
The first ODI will begin at 6:30 a.m. IST on March 25th at Eden Park in Auckland (2:00 pm local time). The stadium has a capacity of 41000 spectators and has previously hosted 50 Tests, 82 ODIs, and 27 T20Is. At this venue, New Zealand has the highest total (340).
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The sky will be partly cloudy with no chance of precipitation. The temperature will range between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius. The wind will be blowing at 16-19 km/h from the west. This pitch makes it simple to score runs. Pacers have an early advantage, while spinners find a good turn later in the game.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Prediction
At home, New Zealand has been outstanding. Since 2019, they have not lost an ODI. Since then, they have won 13 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Despite the absence of key players, New Zealand has enough firepower to maintain their unbeaten streak of 5 ODIs against Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Sri Lanka is willing to die for the outcome. The outcome will determine their World Cup qualification. However, they have not performed well in this format. They have lost 4 of their last 5 games, including a 317-run defeat against India. Check out the odds at Cricbaba!
New Zealand is the favourite to beat Sri Lanka at the odds of 1.37.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Most Recommended Player for Bet:
Matt Henry has a decent record in the fifty-over format, with 116 wickets at 25.47 apiece from just 65 ODIs. Bet on Henry to be New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker.
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