Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Only T20I Preview Dream11
A sense of relief in the Sri Lanka camp that the ODI series is over. The ODI series, unsurprisingly, finished 3-0 in New Zealand’s favour, opening further the wounds of Sri Lanka in the coloured clothing. The shortest format on the small Eden Park ground should bring the two sides closer together, but is it a given?
New Zealand flexed their muscle in the ODIs ahead of India’s visit and the World Cup. Now, attention turns to a T20I match that doesn’t quite have as much context, but an opportunity to improve their poor T20I form ahead of the World T20 in 2020. New Zealand are still undefeated in this tour, and will be keen to send Sri Lanka to Australia winless.
It has indeed been a tough tour for Sri Lanka. They gave New Zealand challenging moments in both the Tests and ODIs, but those moments were unfortunately too short lived. With short moments capable of swinging T20 matches, Sri Lanka’s reliance on individual brilliance could work out for them. Can they end their tour of New Zealand on a high?
Key to a New Zealand win
Kane Williamson and Trent Boult have been rested, and Jimmy Neesham injured, but New Zealand still possess quality that should not equate to nine losses in their last 10 T20Is. Colin Munro returns to his most favoured format, on a ground where he smashed a 14-ball fifty against the same opponent in 2016. He will be key as he can take the game away from Sri Lanka in the blink of an eye, along with Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls, who all scored centuries in the ODI series. Will New Zealand’s top five make life too difficult for Sri Lanka to handle?
Also, Mitchell Santner returns after a long injury layoff, and will be key in restricting the scoring rate for the Sri Lankans. Significant onus is on the seamers, of which a few are vying for spots, to make an impact on a ground with very small boundaries. Sri Lanka haven’t been that flash in T20Is either in recent times, and an opportunity awaits New Zealand to target a batting lineup that has shown to lose quick wickets.
ALSO READ: Congratulations India! Light hearted Australia vs India 4th Test Player Ratings.
Key to a Sri Lanka win
Thisara Perera is a massive factor in Sri Lanka’s quest to leave New Zealand with a win. He is averaging over 40 with a SR of 178 in T20s over the last year, and took the Black Caps apart in the ODIs. However, he can’t do it all on his own, with a great opportunity for the top order to set a platform in what will be fine batting conditions. Against a New Zealand pace attack that can go for runs, Sri Lanka have the chance to return the favour after what New Zealand’s batsmen did to them in the ODIs.
Also, a huge challenge awaits Sri Lanka at Eden Park. The ground dimensions is not a pretty sight for bowlers, and given Sri Lanka conceded 300+ in all three ODIs, a tough test certainly awaits. However, the early wicket of Colin Munro could prove crucial, and can give Sri Lanka confidence to take a few more and force New Zealand to rebuild, much like Australia did at this ground last year. Can Lasith Malinga weave his magic to give other bowlers an opportunity to pounce?
Predicted Playing 11
As mentioned, Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham are all out of this game. Mitchell Santner returns, and Tim Southee captains the side.
New Zealand Possible Playing 11: 1. Colin Munro, 2. Martin Guptill, 3. Glenn Phillips, 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Henry Nicholls, 6. Tim Seifert (wk), 7. Mitchell Santner, 8. Tim Southee (c), 9. Doug Bracewell, 10. Ish Sodhi, 11. Lockie Ferguson
Kusal Perera will likely open, with Danushka Gunathilaka out with a back injury.
Sri Lanka Possible Playing 11: 1. Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2. Kusal Perera, 3. Kusal Mendis, 4. Dhananjaya de Silva, 5. Dasun Shanaka, 6. Thisara Perera, 7. Asela Gunaratne, 8. Seekkuge Prasanna, 9. Lasith Malinga (c), 10. Lakshan Sandakan, 11. Kasun Rajitha
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Dream11 Prediction
- Niroshan Dickwella showed promising form in the ODIs, hitting 131 runs in three matches.
- Colin Munro returns to his favourite format, where he has three centuries.
- Martin Guptill has 457 runs in 10 T20Is at Eden Park, striking at 166.79, which includes a century.
- Thisara Perera smashed 220 runs in the last two ODIs. He has hit three fifties in his last four T20 innings.
- Tim Southee has taken just one wicket in his last three T20I outings at Eden Park, going for 10.5, 12 and 11.75 an over in those matches.
- Ish Sodhi is coming off a fine ODI series, taking eight wickets.
ALSO READ: Congratulations India! Light hearted Australia vs India 4th Test Player Ratings.
Stats and Facts
- New Zealand have lost nine of their last 10 T20Is.
- Australia chased down 244 to win a T20I at Eden Park last year.
- Sri Lanka have lost both their T20Is at Eden Park (2006 and 2016).
Match Prediction
Last chance for Sri Lanka to salvage something on this tour. However, once again, New Zealand look the more polished outfit. Expect them to get a win and leave Sri Lanka winless for the tour.
Thanks for reading!
PS I recently partnered with the great team at onlinecricstore.com
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New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Only T20I Preview Dream11 Prediction
