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After the completion of the T20I series, New Zealand will host Sri Lanka in the first ODI game of the three-match series on Sunday, January 5, at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. New Zealand won the three-match T20I series by 2-1.
New Zealand won the first two matches of the series to earn an unassailable lead. Sri Lanka won the third match by seven runs after posting a total of 218 runs.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka have played a total of two matches at the Basin Reserve. Sri Lanka have played a total of 12 ODI series in New Zealand so far. New Zealand have won nine out of these 12 series, while two series have ended in a draw. Sri Lanka have won only a single series in New Zealand back in 2001.
NZ vs SL Probable XIs
New Zealand
Tom Latham (wk), Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), William ORourke, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Nuwanidu Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Mohamed Shiraz
NZ vs SL Pitch report
The surface at the Basin Reserve in Wellington will likely have a lot to offer to the batters. The average first innings score in the last six ODI matches here has been 282 runs, while the average score in the second innings has been 205 runs. The teams batting first have won 83% of matches. The pacers have picked 71% wickets in the the last 10 ODI games.
NZ vs SL Top Picks
Pathum Nissanka
Nissanka was the second-highest run-scorer in the recently concluded T20I series and amassed 141 runs in three games at a strike rate of 141. He had made 694 runs in 12 ODI games last year at an average of 63.09.
Charith Asalanka
Asalanka is among the two Sri Lankan batters in the top 20 batters in the ICC Men’s ODI batting rankings. He scored 605 runs in 16 ODI outings last year at an average of 50.41. He was the third-highest run-scorer in ODIs last year.
NZ vs SL Captain picks
Daryl Mitchell
Mitchell didn’t play an ODI game last year but had a terrific outing in 2023. In 26 ODI matches in 2023, Mitchell scored 1204 runs at an average of 52.34. He was the highest run-scorer for New Zealand in 2023.
Michael Bracewell
Bracewell was the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand in the last ODI series against Sri Lanka. He took five wickets in three games at an average of 21.80, an economy of 5.73, and a strike rate of 22.80. He was the only bowler to take a four-wicket haul in the series. With the bat, he made 65 runs at a strike rate of 171.05.
NZ vs SL Head to Head Dream11 team
Kusal Mendis, Rachin Ravindra, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka (vc), Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, Jacob Duffy, Maheesh Theekshana.
NZ vs SL Grand League Dream11 team
Kusal Mendis, Rachin Ravindra, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka (vc), Michael Bracewell (c), Mitchell Santner, Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Maheesh Theekshana.
In conclusion, New Zealand will host Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. New Zealand won the T20I series 2-1 and will look to continue their form in the ODIs. The pitch at the Basin Reserve is expected to favor the batters, with an average first innings score of 282 runs. Key players to watch include Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Daryl Mitchell, and Michael Bracewell.
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