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New Zealand will take on Sri Lanka in the third T20I of the three-match series on Thursday, January 2, at the Saxton Oval in Nelson. New Zealand have won the first two matches of the series and would be looking for a whitewash. Sri Lanka would be hoping for a different result and gain an advantage before playing the scheduled ODI series.
In the second match, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl. Mark Chapman (42 runs off 29 deliveries), Mitchell Hay (41 runs off 18 deliveries), and Tim Robinson (41 runs off 34 deliveries) helped New Zealand post a total of 186 runs for the loss of five wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka and took two wickets for 28 runs in four overs.
Only four batters managed a double-digit score for Sri Lanka as the team was bundled out for 141 runs. New Zealand won the match by 45 runs. Jacob Duffy was the most successful bowler for the Kiwi and took four wickets for just 15 runs in four overs. Mitchell Hay won the Player of the Match award for his batting performance.
NZ vs SL Probable XIs
New Zealand
Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara
NZ vs SL Pitch report
The surface at the Saxton Oval in Nelson will likely offer decent support to the batters in this game. The average first innings score in the last five T20 matches here has been 184 runs. The pacers have taken 54% of wickets here in the last 10 matches.
NZ vs SL Top Picks
Kusal Mendis
Kusal has scored 56 runs in two matches in the series at a strike rate of 116.66. He is the second-highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in the series.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Hasaranga has been the best performer for Sri Lanka with the ball. He has picked four wickets in two games at an average of 15.25.
NZ vs SL Captain picks
Daryl Mitchell
Mitchell is the highest run-scorer for New Zealand in the series. He has scored 80 runs in two games at an average of 140.35.
Pathum Nissanka
Nissanka is the leading run-scorer in the series and has made 127 runs in two games at a strike rate of 144.31.
NZ vs SL Head to Head Dream11 team
Kusal Mendis, Rachin Ravindra, Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga (vc), Daryl Mitchell (c), Michael Bracewell, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theeskshana, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Binura Fernando
NZ vs SL Grand League Dream11 team
Kusal Mendis (vc), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Pathum Nissanka (c), Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theeskshana, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Binura Fernando.
In conclusion, the third T20I between New Zealand and Sri Lanka promises to be an exciting match, with both teams looking to make a strong statement. New Zealand aims for a clean sweep, while Sri Lanka seeks to gain momentum before the ODI series. With key players like Daryl Mitchell and Pathum Nissanka in top form, fans can expect a thrilling contest at the Saxton Oval.
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