Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Preview Dream11
What on earth was that second ODI?
New Zealand dropped six catches and bowled poorly at the death. Two recipes for disaster in white-ball cricket. Sri Lanka had Thisara Perera play the innings of his life. But, after all, a Sri Lanka win would have been one of the biggest heists in ODI history. In the end, despite a very scratchy display, New Zealand won by 21 runs, highlighting Sri Lanka’s problems.
The tourists face another dead rubber. They have won their last three such clashes, with their last win in a live ODI coming nearly a year ago. Can they get their first win of the tour?
Key to a New Zealand win
With an eye to the World Cup, it will be a gamble for New Zealand to play Tim Southee, given his lack of form in white ball cricket. Matt Henry was promising, and so too Ish Sodhi, where middle over wickets ultimately proved the difference. Frankly, New Zealand were poor on Saturday, nearly losing the unloseable, and with a World Cup just a few months away, here is an opportunity to iron a few things out.
With the bat, New Zealand don’t have as many issues. Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill fell cheaply on Saturday, but Colin Munro stepped up in the ODI format. Ross Taylor also did, as he often does these days, backed up by the in-form Jimmy Neesham. New Zealand’s top seven has an excellent balance of power and panache, and another opportunity awaits to set up a strong chance of victory with the bat.
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Key to a Sri Lanka win
Sri Lanka, as the case so often in a terrible couple of years, rely on pieces of individual brilliance to get them over the line. Thisara Perera nearly pulled off one of the greatest achievements in ODI history, smashing 140 off 74 balls to nearly get Sri Lanka home. However, what preceded that is simply not good enough from Sri Lanka, and need a much better showing from the top and middle order in a desperate plea for batting cohesiveness ahead of the World Cup.
Also, who will support Lasith Malinga adequately enough? Who will take middle over wickets in the absence of Akila Dananjaya? Sri Lanka have their batting issues, but their bowlers can assist in reducing the pressure. New Zealand’s top four is dangerous, and pressure can build by dismissing two cheaply as they did in the second ODI. However, the Sri Lankans must find always to breakthrough in the middle overs, which might force Lasith Malinga to play his hand and have an extra man or so in the ring.
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Predicted Playing XIs
New Zealand can experiment now that the series is won. Doug Bracewell is a very good chance of playing, with either Matt Henry or Trent Boult a chance to make way for the returning Lockie Ferguson.
New Zealand possible XI: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Colin Munro, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Henry Nicholls, 6. Jimmy Neesham, 7. Tim Seifert (wk), 8. Doug Bracewell, 9. Ish Sodhi, 10. Lockie Ferguson, 11. Matt Henry/Trent Boult
Sri Lanka are carrying with them players who are simply not performing. Dasun Shanaka is again a chance of playing, after another middle order crumble by the Lankans.
Sri Lanka possible XI: 1. Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2. Danushka Gunathilaka, 3. Kusal Perera, 4. Kusal Mendis, 5. Dinesh Chandimal, 6. Dasun Shanaka/Asela Gunaratne, 7. Thisara Perera, 8. Lakshan Sandakan, 9. Lasith Malinga (c), 10. Dushmantha Chameera/Seekuge Prasanna, 11. Nuwan Pradeep
Dream11 Prediction
Good batting conditions are expected in Nelson.
- Kane Williamson averages 58 in seven ODIs at Saxton Oval.
- Dasun Shanaka is a strong chance to play.
- New Zealand’s top four is looking dangerous.
- Thisara Perera offers run scoring and wicket taking potential.
Stats and Facts
- Sri Lanka have won their last three dead-rubber matches. However, they have not won a live ODI since January 27, 2018.
- New Zealand have won five of six completed matches at Saxton Oval.
- Kusal Mendis has just one fifty in his last 25 completed ODI innings (avg. 14.65).
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Prediction
Sri Lanka are the kings of the dead rubber these days, but New Zealand look the better balanced side.
It is very hard to predict that a side will win, based on their reliance on individual brilliance. New Zealand to win.
Thanks for reading!
PS I recently partnered with the great team at onlinecricstore.com
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New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Preview Dream11
