NZ vs SL Weather Report & Pitch Report Saxton Oval, Nelson
High flying New Zealand will be kept busy when they take on Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I of the ongoing series. The match is due to be played on Thursday (January 2) at Saxton Oval, Nelson.
New Zealand have already won the series after winning the first two games. The hosts won the first game by 8 runs. In the second T20I, the Black Caps inflicted a 45-run defeat on the visitors. Batting first, New Zealand scored 186/5 in 20 overs.
Mark Chapman top scored for his side, scoring 42 runs, while Tim Robinson and Mitchell Hay scored 41 runs each. In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 141 runs in 19.1 overs.
Kusal Perera top-scored for his side, scoring 48 runs and was the only Sri Lankan player to reach the 40-run mark. For New Zealand, Jacob Duffy again impressed with the ball, taking 4 for 15 after 4 overs.
With both teams set for the third and final T20I, we take a look at the weather and pitch report.
NZ vs SL Weather Report & Pitch Report Saxton Oval, Nelson – 3rd T20I Sri Lanka Tour of New Zealand 2024-25:
NZ vs SL Nelson weather forecast:
The weather forecast is not very promising ahead of the third NZ vs SL T20I. The game will be played in Nelson and the weather forecast called for rain on the day of the game. Rain is predicted during the game between 20-30 percent and the start of the game could also be delayed due to rain or a wet field.
NZ vs SL Pitch Report:
Here are the stats of Saxton Oval, Nelson:
First T20 match | 29.12.2017 |
Last match of T20 | 11.05.2019 |
Matches played | 2 |
Matches won by the home team | 2 (100.00%) |
Matches won by the touring side | 0 |
Matches won by neutral side | 0 (0.00%) |
Matches won by kicking | 2 (100.00%) |
Matches won | 0 (0.00%) |
Matches won Winning draw | 1 (50.00%) |
Matches won Throws lost | 1 (50.00%) |
Even matches | 0 (0.00%) |
Matches without results | 0 (0.00%) |
Greatest team innings | 187/7 (New Zealand) |
Lowest team innings | 140 (West Indies) |
The biggest chase achieved | ON |
Average runs per wicket | 21.71 |
Average runs per over | 8.52 |
Average score batting first | 184 |
The upcoming third NZ vs SL T20I will be held at Saxton Oval, a venue that has only hosted a handful of T20Is so far. It has not hosted a single T20I since 2019. However, both games were high scoring games.
In the first T20I played at the Saxton Oval, New Zealand scored 187/7 against the West Indies as the latter scored 140 runs. New Zealand scored 180/7 in the 2nd T20I while Sri Lanka scored 166/7 in their 20 overs.
Going by the trend, both teams will be looking to bat first after winning the toss in the third NZ vs SL T20I encounter. Anything above 180 is likely to be a winning total.
Conclusion:
The third T20I between New Zealand and Sri Lanka could be interrupted by rain. However, considering that only light rain is predicted for the match, it is unlikely that the rain will wash away the entire match. The venue is known for high-scoring games and both teams will be looking to make the most of it.