Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka – 2nd T20I Preview and Updates

Cricket

After losing the Tests (2-0) and ODI series (2-0), Sri Lanka finally had a win to their name during their New Zealand tour. And they had to play their best game to beat the New Zealanders in the first T20I after a thrilling contest went to the super over. Sri Lanka has a rare opportunity to win a T20I series in New Zealand, as the hosts are missing many regular players in this series. New Zealand has been giving their all and never letting the opposition get away at any point, as evidenced by a last-ball six in the previous game.

The 2nd T20I between New Zealand vs Sri Lanka will take place on April 5th, 2023 at University Oval, Dunedin.

Match Details to Note

Match: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2023

Date: April 05, 2023 (Wednesday)

Time: 6:30 AM IST

Venue: University Oval, Dunedin

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka

New Zealand (Match Odds – 1.55):

Preview:

New Zealand lost their openers cheaply while attempting to stay positive in the 197-run chase. Daryl Mitchell was their team’s savior, scoring 66 runs off 44 balls to get their chase back on track. At the other end, Tom Latham (27 runs) and Mark Chapman (33 runs) provided solid support. However, they lost some quick wickets, and the cameos of Rachin Ravindra (26 runs) and James Neesham (19 runs) were impressive. Ish Sodhi’s last-ball six-pointer helped his team tie the game.

Their bowlers bowled at a high economy rate, conceding 196 runs in 20 overs. Pacers Adam Milne (1/43), Ben Lister (1/42), and Henry Shipley (1/43) each took a wicket but gave up over 10 RPO. With 2/33 in the match, James Neesham was their top wicket taker, while Ish Sodhi’s 4 overs cost 33 runs.

Full Squad:

Tom Latham (c & wk), Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Will Young

Players to watch out for:

James Neesham

With Trent Boult, Kane Williamson, and other stars all out for this T20I series, James Neesham will be expected to not only take wickets but also provide a quality finish to the batting innings. He took two wickets in the first T20I and scored 19 runs at the end.

Daryl Mitchell

The Kiwis’ best batsman, he enters the second T20I after scoring a 66-run inning in Auckland. With the new ball, his form will be critical for the home side against a fast Sri Lankan bowling attack.

Mark Chapman

He got off to a good start, scoring 33 runs on only 23 pitches, but he couldn’t turn it into a big inning. The second T20I could be the perfect opportunity for this 28-year-old to redeem himself.

Possible Playing XI:

Chad Bowes, Tim Seifert, Tom Latham (c & wk), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister

Sri Lanka (Match Odds – 2.45):

Preview:

Sri Lanka scored a massive 196 runs, with the bats of Kusal Perera (53 runs) and Asalanka (67 runs) both reaching fifties, with the latter being the aggressor. Wanindu Hasaranga (21 runs) and Kusal Mendis (25 runs) cameoed in the middle of the innings. They will look to maintain their good batting rhythm in this match as well.

Sri Lankan bowlers attempted to limit the opposition, but the final ball six ended the match in a draw. With figures of 1/22, Maheesh Theekshana was outstanding with the ball. Dasun Shanaka (2/20), Wanindu Hasaranga (2/30), and Pramod Madushan (2/37) each took two wickets in the match, while Dilshan Madushanka contributed one wicket.

Full Squad:

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Lasith Croospulle, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nuwanidu Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga (vc), Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, and Pramod Madushan

Players to watch out for:

Kusal Perera

A solid half-century in the first T20I. He batted at a strike rate of 117 and even helped to keep the innings going when Pathun Nissanka left early.

Charith Asalanka

Charith Asalanka has 266 runs in the last 10 games for Sri Lanka and will be looking to build on his 67-run inning in the first T20I.

Maheesh Theekshana

In the previous game, the right-arm off-break bowler took 1 wicket while conceding only 22 runs in his 4 overs.

Possible Playing XI:

Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Top Team Batsmen

We recommend that you select Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, and Mark Chapman from New Zealand’s batting lineup. Although Mitchell was the standout batsman for the Kiwis in the first T2-I, Chapman and Latham made promising starts but were unable to convert them into big innings.

From the Sri Lankan batting lineup, we recommend Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Charith Asalanka. While the latter two are coming off half-centuries, Mendis got off to a flying start, scoring 25 runs off just 8 balls, but he couldn’t maintain his cool for long.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Top Team Bowlers

From the New Zealand bowling lineup, we recommend James Neesham, Adam Milne, and Ish Sodhi. While the former two bowlers took wickets in the previous game, Sodhi’s spin in the middle overs could be the deciding factor for the Kiwis in the second T20I given the conditions of the Dunedin wicket.

The obvious bowling options from the Sri Lankan lineup would be Pramod Madushan, Wanidu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana. Not only did all three bowlers take wickets in the first T20I, but Theekshana and Hasaranga’s spin on the Dunedin pitch could be crucial in determining the game’s pace.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Head to Head

While the previous result saw Sri Lanka and New Zealand involved in their first-ever tie, the latter nation has won three of their previous four meetings with Sri Lanka. Having said that, there has been a nearly equal tally of 11 wins for New Zealand and 9 wins for Sri Lanka in the 21 T20I games in which these two teams have been involved (including the last super over the contest in Auckland).

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Head to Head Stats in T20s

	Matches Played	NZ Won	SL Won	Tie	NR
Overall	21	11	8	1	1
Last 5	5	3	1	1	0

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Toss Prediction

Both teams will try to bat first, as teams that bat first have won both of the games played here. As the game progresses, the pitch may slow down.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Pitch Report

Dunedin is a good venue in New Zealand, with a picturesque backdrop and a cool, breezy climate. There have only been two T20I matches played here, and this is the third match of the day.

The pitch will be a good batting surface, with the ball coming off the bat nicely. The pitch may slow down as the game progresses, making it difficult for batters to time the ball. On the day of the match, Dunedin will be cloudy and dark, with some intermittent showers.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Prediction

New Zealand has rested some of their key players, but they still have good players who can take the attack to the opposition, especially at home. Their bowling has been a major concern, and they are leaking runs due to a lack of experience on big stages. Sri Lanka’s batters have been outstanding so far in taking the attack to the opposition, and their bowling attack is heavily reliant on spinners. They pace a quality pacer who can consistently put the opposition batters under pressure. We believe New Zealand will win this game and tie the series. Check out the odds at Cricbaba!

New Zealand is the favourite to beat Sri Lanka at the odds of 1.55.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Most Recommended Player for Bet:

James Neesham took two wickets with the ball and allowed 30 runs in his four overs. In the second T20I against Sri Lanka, we expect him to take one wicket.

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