Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Match Preview, 3rd ODI

Courtesy of back-to-back victories in Dambulla and Pallekele, Sri Lanka (SL) have bagged the ODI series against New Zealand (NZ). The third game is going to be a mere formality but the Charith Asalanka-led side would be eager to win whitewash the Kiwis on their home turf. The hosts have played some brilliant cricket while New Zealand looked lacklustre and not having senior cricketers in the mix didn’t help.

The Mitchell Santner-led side missed the services of Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell and Tim Southee among many others. It affected their performance in the series, leading to defeats. However, the players available will be hoping to bounce back and produce a better show in the final game of the series.

Sri Lanka meanwhile have done a commendable job under Sanath Jayasuriya. Captain Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, and Kamindu Mendis have been very effective as they are now more consistent than they have been in the recent past. The goal will be to keep up with the momentum and finish matches on a winning note. Bowling has been effective too but against inexperienced Kiwi batters, it can’t be judged well.

Match Details

Pitch Report

The surface in Pallekele traditionally supports the spinners, as it did in the second ODI. Hence a low-scoring encounter is expected once again and anything over 250 runs can be decisive in the upcoming fixture.

Probable Playing XIs

Sri Lanka:

There’s no need for Sri Lanka to change the winning combination. The top order has put up a good show with the bat and that is what Sri Lanka would want again to happen. It sets the tone for the middle order. 

Probable Playing XI:

Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando.

Click Here: Most runs in SL vs NZ

New Zealand:

New Zealand don’t have enough options. All they would hope for is to produce a better show. Consistency is something that they need to work on.

Probable Playing XI:

Will Young, Tim Robinson, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitch Hay (wk), Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.