New Zealand will be looking at the white when they take on Sri Lanka in the third T20I of the ongoing series. The final game of the series is scheduled to be played on Thursday (January 2) at Saxton Oval, Nelson.
The Black Caps have already taken an elusive 2-0 lead in the series. After winning the first game by 8 runs, New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 45 runs in the second T20I. Unlike the first game where they struggled with the bat in the beginning, New Zealand were in complete control in the second game.
Batting first, the home side posted a competitive total of 186/5 in the allotted 20 overs. The Black Caps bowlers then put in a great effort. Riding on Jacob Duffy with 4 wickets, the home side beat Sri Lanka by just 141 runs.
With the high-flying Black Caps eyeing another win, we took a look at the New Zealand Playing 11 for the third T20I.
New Zealand playing 11 vs Sri Lanka – 3rd T20I, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2024-25:
Openers: Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra
Tim Robinson and Rachin Ravindra are set to be the openers in the New Zealand Playing 11 for the third T20I. Robinson scored 41 runs in the second game and will be looking at another good outing in the second game. In the first game, he missed only 8 runs.
On the other hand, Ravindra failed for the second game in a row. After struggling in the Test series against England earlier this month, the Black Caps star has also struggled with his form in the ongoing series.
He was out for just 8 runs in the first game before being dismissed for 1 run in the second game. Although Ravindra is struggling with his form, he is likely to retain his place in the Kiwi Playing 11.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell
Mark Chapman will be looking at another good outing with the bat after playing a crucial knock in the second T20I. The right-handed batsman, who scored just 15 runs in the first game, scored 42 runs off 29 balls in the second game. He also shared a crucial 69-run stand with Robinson for the second wicket.
Glenn Phillips got the start with the bat but couldn’t convert it into a big score. After scoring 8 runs in the first series, the New Zealand all-rounder was bowled out for 23 runs in the second game. With the ball, Phillips bowled one and gave away 14 runs without a single wicket.
Daryl Mitchell got the start and looked set to score another big hit, but his innings was cut short by a run. The senior batsman, who scored 62 runs in the first T20I, went for 18 runs in the second game.
Mitchell Hay impressed with the bat for New Zealand. After being dropped for a failure in the first game, Hay scored an unbeaten 41 runs off just 19 balls to help his side cross the 180-run mark. Michael Bracewell faced just 3 balls in the game and scored 5 runs. With the ball, Bracewell took 1 wicket for 30 runs in 3 overs.
Bowlers: Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
The home side will once again field three openers and one spinner in the New Zealand Playing 11. Captain Mitchell Santner will lead the spin attack, with Bracewell and Phillips the other bowling options.
Santner impressed with the ball in the second game, taking 2 wickets for 22 runs in his 4 overs. The three pacers in the team are likely to be Matt Henry, Zakary Foulkes and Jacob Duffy.
Duffy played with the ball in the second game, taking 4 wickets for just 15 runs in his 4 overs. On the other hand, Henry took 2 wickets for 31 runs while Foulkes took 1 wicket for 27 runs.
