Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI Preview + Dream11

New year, same old ODI problems for Sri Lanka?

They begin 2019 with a tough test, away to New Zealand. The Black Caps last played a home ODI in March last year, and will be raring to go with the World Cup fast approaching. They have won eight of 11 ODIs at home to Sri Lanka since the beginning of 2015, and with a squad many consider capable of reaching the World Cup Semi Finals, the time is now to flex their muscle.

Will 2019 prove to be a source of comfort for Sri Lanka in the ODI format? Their last two years have been nothing short of horrendous, losing 33 of 44 completed matches. Worse, the last time they won a live ODI (non-dead rubber) was nearly a year ago, where they beat Bangladesh in a Tri-Series Final also involving Zimbabwe. Lasith Malinga is at the ODI helm, and has a big role in getting Sri Lanka off the mat. Can they make a good start to 2019?

Key to a New Zealand win

New Zealand, perhaps luckily due to rain, drew their most recent ODI series against Pakistan. However, there were plenty of positives to take from that series. Ross Taylor continued his magnificent run of ODI form over the last few years, and will be key here, along with Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson at the top. One player who hasn’t quite decoded the ODI format is Colin Munro, who is capable of providing a rapid start to help set the tone. Will New Zealand’s top order help set a strong platform for the middle order to launch?

Another significant positive was the form of Lockie Ferguson. Ferguson took 11 wickets in three ODIs at 12.82 in the UAE against Pakistan, and will be a massive threat to Sri Lanka’s uncertain lineup. Also, Matt Henry was in excellent form in red ball cricket in 2018, and could be called upon to make inroads to the Sri Lankan lineup, along with Trent Boult. Kane Williamson will be hoping that Ish Sodhi and Jimmy Neesham can bowl in the middle overs with Sri Lanka under the pump.

Key to a Sri Lanka win

A big problem for Sri Lanka in ODI Cricket is the regular loss of top order wickets. They suffered badly at the hands of South Africa and England in their most recent assignments, and in both those series, the middle order was left with big recovery jobs. Kusal Mendis had a good year in Tests in 2018, and will be key for the tourists here, along with the likes of Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella and Thisara Perera, who all possess talent.

Also, can Sri Lanka get the better of New Zealand’s top order? Lasith Malinga is capable of early wickets, and if he can fire, that might just spur the team on. Dushmantha Chameera, Thisara Perera and Lakshan Sandakan are also capable of wickets, but must bowl with effective control as they can tend to go on the expensive side.

Predicted Playing XIs

Tim Seifert is set to make his ODI debut with Tom Latham rested for this series. Also, with Tim Southee not quite at his best in ODIs over the last couple of years, Matt Henry could be given a chance.

New Zealand XI: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Colin Munro, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Henry Nicholls, 6. Tim Seifert (wk), 7. James Neesham, 8. Ish Sodhi, 9. Matt Henry/Tim Southee, 10. Trent Boult, 11. Lockie Ferguson.

Sri Lanka’s most in form batsman, Angelo Mathews, has succumbed to another hamstring injury. Now, Lasith Malinga and the team management will have to decide on a lineup that delivers the best result.

Sri Lanka XI: 1. Kusal Perera, 2. Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 3. Sadeera Samarawickrama/Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Kusal Mendis, 5 Dhananjaya de Silva, 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Lakshan Sandakan, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Lasith Malinga (c)

Dream11 Prediction

Below is my Dream11 Team with a few pointers.

• Niroshan Dickwella will get a greater opportunity to bat than Tim Seifert.
• Ross Taylor’s last four ODI scores in New Zealand: 181*, 10, 113, 59. He has averaged less than 55 just once in the last five calendar years.
• Kusal Mendis is in good touch.
• Colin Munro is capable of getting the Black Caps off to a flyer.
• Lockie Ferguson is a good pick. Both Matt Henry and Tim Southee are risky options given only one is likely to get the nod.

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Stats and Facts

• New Zealand have won eight of 11 home ODIs vs Sri Lanka since the start of 2015.
• Sri Lanka have lost 33 of 43 completed ODIs since the start of 2017.
• This will be Lasith Malinga’s second ODI as captain.

Prediction

Mount Maunganui hosts an exciting New Zealand side looking to get its World Cup preparations in order.

They should be too good for Sri Lanka. I predict they will win off the back of strong top order performance.

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New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI Preview + Dream11