New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, NZ vs SL, Today Match Prediction 02 April 2023

nz vs sl Match Prediction & Analysis

After a convincing win in the test and ODI series, New Zealand is set to take on Sri Lanka in T20Is. The first T20I of the three-match T20I series is scheduled to take place at Eden Park, Auckland, on 2nd April from 5:30 am (1:00 pm local time). New Zealand have won 4 out of the last T20I series against Sri Lanka and have never lost one at home.

New Zealand has been struggling with the T20I format in recent times. They have won just two out of the last 8 games. One against Ireland and the other against India. In their last T20I, they accepted a massive defeat by 168 runs. Batting first, India scored 234 runs at Ahmedabad with a century from Shubman Gill. With only Daryl Mitchell (35) and Mitchell Santner (13) crossing the two-digit figure in the chase, the squad got bowled out on 66. 

On the other hand, Sri Lanka are also riding in the same boat. They have won 3 of their last 8 T20Is. They lost to India by 91 while chasing 229 runs in their last T20I. Except for Kusal Mendis and Patthum Nissanka, no other batter is in form. The same is the case of their bowling attack, where Wanindu Hasaranga is the sole warrior with 32 wickets in 20 T20is played since the last year.

Both teams met each other in the World Cup last year. Batting first, New Zealand set a target of 168 runs. Glenn Phillips scored a century. Trent Boult’s 4 for 13 restricted Sri Lanka to 102 to suffer a loss by 65 runs. This was New Zealand’s 4th win in the last 5 T20Is against Sri Lanka. 

New Zealand has never lost a T20I against Sri Lanka at home.

TEAMS PREVIEW

New Zealand Preview

New Zealand will be without seven first-team players.  The list includes Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Finn Allen, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, and Glenn Phillips. The IPL-bound players have given a chance to the management to test the second team. Chad Bowes will likely debut after playing in the ODI series. Bowes’ strike rate in domestic T20s is over 135, with two half-centuries in the last 4 T20s he played. Tim Seifert can be his partner at the top, who has an experience of 40 international T20Is with a strike rate of 130.

New Zealand’s middle order will be filled with all-rounders Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Nisham, Rachin Ravindra, and skipper Tom Latham. Mitchell is our player to watch out for. With 2 centuries in the last 5 games at home and an impressive ODI series, he could play a crucial role in the middle order. Jimmy Nisham’s strike rate is 173 in the last year. On the other hand, Latham hasn’t been impressive in this particular format. His strike rate is just 105 in 15 T20Is.

Henry Shipley will lead the bowling attack with Matt Henry and Blair Tickner. The ODI debutant impressed everyone with 8 wickets in the 2 ODIs. Blair Tickener has played 11 wickets in the 9 T20Is since last year. Ish Sodhi will have the responsibility to handle the spin attack. He is the leading wicket-taker since last year. Sodhi has 31 wickets in 25 T20Is played since the last year. Adam Milne is back in the team, missing most of the season.

Key Players: Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Latham (c & wk), Chad Bowes, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Will Young, Blair Tickner.

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra, Benjamin Lister, Mark Chapman, Henry Shipley, Tim Seifert, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Chad Bowes, James Neesham, Daryl Mitchell

Sri Lanka Preview

Sri Lanka are struggling to win in all formats of the cricket. Hopefully, they will make a strong comeback after losing the Test and ODI series. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will open the innings for Sri Lanka. The openers are the most prolific players from the Lankan camp since the last year. Mendis has 524 runs in 20 T20Is at a strike rate of 139.73. He has 5 half-centuries and is our batter to watch out for. 

Skipper Dasun Shanaka has played some outstanding innings in the recent past to take his team out of the crunch scenario. With a strike rate of 144.31, Shanaka has 381 runs in 20 T20Is since the last year. Shanaka might need to take the ball in the hand too. He hasn't bowled much after taking 5 wickets in the 9 overs. Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva will help him in the middle order.

Wanindu Hasaranga is the leading wicket-taker for Sri Lanka this season. Hasaranga has 32 wickets in 20 T20Is played this season at an economy of 7.48. With another leading wicket-taker, Maheesh Theeksana, out, the responsibility will be on the shoulders of Aslanka, who has 13 wickets at an economy of 8.72 this season. Dilshan Madhushanka will be the bowler to watch out for. Madhushanka has taken 11 wickets in 9 games this season.

Key Players: Charit Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Pathum Nisanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Angelo Matthews.

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Dilshan Madushanka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Wanidu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather will be partly cloudy with no chance of rain. The temperature will range between 16 and 23°C. The wind will be flowing from the west at 10-15 kmh. The pitch at Eden Park is traditionally known to be batting-friendly and usually favors the batsmen. It is a hard surface that offers good bounce and carry, which makes it ideal for stroke-making. The pitch is usually flat in the early parts of a cricket game, making it an ideal setting for the top-order batsmen to score big runs. However, as the game progresses, the pitch tends to slow down and starts assisting spin bowlers. 

Venue Details

The 1st T20I will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on 2nd April, from 5:30 am IST (1:00 pm local time).  The venue holds a capacity of 41000 spectators and has hosted 50 Tests, 83 ODIs & 27 T20Is so far. Australia has registered the highest total (245) at this venue.

Toss: To Bowl

In 27 ODIs, the team batting second has won the game on 12 occasions, while the team batting first has won it 11 times. Australia has successfully chased 243 runs against New Zealand at this venue. The team winning the toss should bowl first, with four of the last 5 games has been chased down.