The three-match ODI series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is scheduled to be held at various venues in New Zealand. The kiwi teams enjoy a boost of confidence and morale as they celebrate their recent T20I series win. Will the Sri Lankan squad avenge the previous series loss and start this white ball series on a favourable note? Let’s watch and find out.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can tune in to watch NZ Vs Sri live on Tens Sports and A Sports in Pakistan, Sony Live TV Network in India, and Foxtel Cricket Network in Australia. This match will be streamed at 3:00 am PST, 3:30 am IST, and 10:00 pm GMT.
Team Analysis
Perhaps the greatest strength of the Kiwi squad is their star and the player of the T20I series, Jacob Duffy. He has emerged as a valuable asset for New Zealand in ODIs, showcasing his skills as a reliable fast bowler. His ability to swing the ball both ways and extract movement off the pitch makes him a potent threat, especially with the new ball. Additionally, he has maintained a solid economy rate of 4.75, building pressure during crucial middle overs. With his knack for taking wickets in pivotal moments, he can prove to be pivotal for the hosts. Duffy is accompanied by the legendary kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra in the bowling unit. Together, these three can punish the Sri Lankan batsmen quite badly.
Moreover, batting has been the cornerstone of New Zealand’s success in ODIs, with a strong lineup featuring experienced and dynamic players. Led by dependable anchors like Glenn Phillips and aggressive openers like Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, the team consistently posts competitive totals. The middle order, bolstered by Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell, adds depth and versatility, while their ability to accelerate in the death overs is unmatched. With all-rounders like Mitchell Santner and James Neesham contributing valuable runs, the batting unit is balanced and resilient. This collective strength enables New Zealand to chase daunting targets or set formidable ones, making them a formidable ODI side.
Amongst the deficiencies in the Sri Lankan line-up, the middle order collapses, especially in crucial moments, failing to capitalize on strong starts, inconsistent bowling, especially in the death overs are on the top. These weaknesses have cost them several matches, as they struggle to contain runs or take timely wickets. Fielding remains a concern, with frequent lapses and dropped catches proving costly in tight games. These areas of inconsistency make it challenging for Sri Lanka to compete against stronger teams in ODIs.
However, light should be shed upon the obvious strength of the Sri Lankan team, that being their talented opening pair of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Nissanka’s elegant stroke play and ability to anchor innings provide stability at the top of the order. Mendis complements him with his aggressive yet calculated approach, excelling in both building partnerships and accelerating the scoring. Together, they have become key pillars of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, often setting the foundation for competitive totals.
Match Insights And Conclusion
The pitch at Basin Reserve is notoriously known to favour bowlers, especially pacers. Keeping this crucial parameter in mind, the key impact players for this last game include Jacob Duffy, Mitchell Santner, Maheesh Theekshana, and Kusal Mendis. If you want to catch NZ Vs Sri live, scroll above and click on the link provided.
