The second ODI game of the 3-match series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is scheduled to be held on 8th January. The Kiwi squad leads the series by 1-0 as they accomplished a comprehensive victory over their opponents in the 1st game by 9 wickets. The classy New Zealand’s bowler, Matt Henry, was named as the man of the match for his stellar spell of 4 for 19 runs, with an admirable economy of 1.90. With just a month away from Champions Trophy, both teams would like to add as many ODI wins to their toll as they can. Let’s see which team succeeds to win in this 2nd game.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can tune in to watch NZ Vs Sri live on Tens Sports and A Sports in Pakistan and Sky Sports Network in the UK. This match will be streamed at 11:15 am PST, 11:45 am IST, and 6:15 am GMT.
Team Analysis
The iconic bowling trio, consisting of Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, and Jacob Duffy is the main strength of the hosts in this 2nd match. This trio forms a dynamic and well-rounded bowling unit for New Zealand. The Skipper, Santner’s crafty left-arm spin, is instrumental in controlling the middle overs, while Matt Henry’s pace and precision with the new ball often set the tone by delivering early breakthroughs. Lastly, the newbie, Jacob Duffy and his ability to swing the ball and exploit seam-friendly conditions. Together, they bring a blend of experience,control, and wicket-taking ability, making them a formidable force capable of adapting to various game situations and conditions. This balance of spin and pace strengthens New Zealand’s attack across all phases of an innings.
The young Kiwi gun, Rachin Ravindra , is another asset for his team. Rachin has emerged as a valuable all-rounder for New Zealand in ODI cricket, showcasing impressive skills with both bat and ball. With a batting average of 40.25 and a strike rate of 91.5, he provides stability and acceleration in the middle order. As a bowler, his tidy left-arm spin offers control and crucial breakthroughs, making him a versatile asset in both departments as was seen in the 1st ODI encounter, where the youngster scored 45 crucial runs.
The Asian team seemed to struggle badly in all three departments in the 1st game, batting, bowling, and fielding. Sri Lanka’s frequent middle-order collapses remained a significant weakness in the 1st ODI, which led to all team being bowled out before 50 overs. The lack of consistency and experience among middle-order batters has led to an inability to rebuild after early setbacks. Additionally, poor shot selection and struggles against spin have further exposed this vulnerability.These collapses put immense pressure on the lower order, limiting their ability to accelerate in the death overs. Poor forms of the classy wicket-keeper batsman, Kusal Mendis and the Sri Lankan captain, Charith Asalanka are also obvious deficiencies in the team.
Match Insights And Conclusion
This 2nd match holds immense importance for the Sri Lankan team if they want to keep their hopes of winning this series alive. The key impact players for this game include Matt Henry, Devon Conway, Charith Asalanka, and Wanindu Hasaranga. If you want to watch NZ Vs Sri live, scroll above and click on the link provided.
