New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, NZ vs SL, Today Match Prediction 17 March 2023

nz vs sl Match Prediction & Analysis

New Zealand will eye a series win as they take on Sri Lanka in the 2nd Test of the two-match series at Basin Reserve, Wellington. It was an incredible effort from both sides in the first game, where the hosts won the game off the last ball with all the drama accompanying a T20 game. Sri Lanka will be heartbroken, having dominated most sessions of the game to end up losing. They will look to fight back and level the series here.  

New Zealand has won the last five out of six games at this venue, with the other ending in a draw. They haven't lost a game at home against Sri Lanka since 2006, and the players would like to take inspiration from this record. Sri Lanka came close to a historic win in the last game, and the players will look to bank on the positives and finish ahead of the winning line in this game.  

TEAMS PREVIEW

New Zealand Preview

Tim Southee would be happy with the heroic performance from his batsmen in the second innings. They failed in most sessions of the game and didn't execute their plans to perfection. The Kiwi skipper will hope for a better show from his players in this game and look to seal the series 2-0.  

Tom Latham and Devon Conway got their starts in the last game, and they will look to convert them into big scores here. Kane Williamson and Darryl Mitchell were brilliant, and they will look to add runs in the middle order with Henry Nicholls. Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, and Scott Kuggeleijn are good with the bat, making this batting line-up formidable.   

Southee will try to get early wickets by sharing the new ball with Matt Henry, as the Sri Lankans have proved their skills with the bat. Blair Tickner and Mitchell must keep up the pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers in this game. Scott Kuggeleijn will have to do well in the supporting act.  

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Tim Southee (c), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Blair Tickner

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Doug Bracewell, Henry Nicholls, Matt Henry, Michael Bracewell, Kane Williamson, Tom Blundell, Blair Tickner, Tim Southee

Sri Lanka Preview

Dimuth Karunaratne's side didn't deserve to lose the last game. However, they ended up on the losing side. The Sri Lankan skipper wouldn't like to see this defeat play on the minds of their players. He will expect a strong show from his players as they hunt for a rare Test win on Sri Lankan soil.  

Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando blunted the Kiwi new ball attack in the last game, and they will look to bowl similar spells in this game. Kusal Mendis, Angelo Matthews, and Dinesh Chandimal batted brilliantly, and the team will need a similar show from them. Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva are good batsmen, and the side will need contributions from them.   

Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha would like to carry their form from the last game and put the hosts under pressure with the new ball. Lahiru Kimara and Dhananjaya de Silva did well in the previous contest and shall feel confident. Matthews and Prabath Jayasuriya will play an important role in this game. 

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kasun Rajitha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Lahiru Kumara, Oshada Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Prabath Jayasuriya

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We will have a thick cloud cover in Wellington, and there may be rain on the first three days of the game. The wicket will be lively and fast bowlers shall enjoy bowling under the clouds. Batsmen have to play to the merit of the ball. The side batting first will be happy to have 350 runs in the first innings.

Venue Details

The pitch at Basin Reserve, Wellington, has a lot for the fast bowlers early on in the game, and batsmen must be watchful on the first two days. Batsmen who play the waiting game have done well at this venue. There isn't much on this surface for the spinners, and they must use their variations to succeed.

Toss: To Bowl

In the last five Test matches played at this ground, sides bowling first have won four times. The wicket has juice on the first two days, and batting conditions improve as the game progresses. The side winning the toss will look to take advantage of the conditions and won't hesitate to bowl first.