Third ODI in the ongoing NZ vs SL series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be held on Saturday (January 11, 2025). The final match of the series will be played at Eden Park in Auckland.
The fate of the NZ vs SL series has already been decided after New Zealand won the first two games. The hosts won the first game with a 9-goal difference. In the second match, the Mitchell Santner-led team inflicted a heavy 113-run defeat on Sri Lanka to take an elusive 2-0 lead in the series.
In a game reduced to 37 overs a side, New Zealand scored 255/9 before beating Sri Lanka by just 142 runs. With both the teams now gearing up for the third ODI, here is a preview of the match.
NZ vs SL Match Preview – 3rd ODI Sri Lanka Tour of New Zealand 2024-25:
NZ vs. SL Date and place:
The upcoming third ODI NZ vs SL between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be held on Saturday (January 11. The NZ vs SL match will be played at Eden Park, Auckland).
Determine:
New Zealand:
Mitchell Santner (c), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Hay (ie), Tom Latham (ie), Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, William O’ Rourke
Sri Lanka:
Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Lahiru Kumara , Eshan Malinga
NZ vs SL Key battles
Pathum Nissanka vs Jacob Duffy:
One of the main reasons for Sri Lanka’s poor display with the bat in the first two matches was their failure to get off to a good start. In both games, their starters failed to follow through with the new ball and give the team a solid platform.
With Sri Lanka now desperate to avoid defeat by winning the third ODI, the onus will be on experienced opener Pathum Nissanka to rise to the occasion. The right-handed batsman has scored 9 and 1 in the series so far and will be looking to do it well.
However, it will not be an easy task for him as he will have to negate the threat of Jacob Duffy. The New Zealand pacer dismissed him in the second ODI and will be confident of winning the duel again.
Rachin Ravindra vs Wanindu Hasarang:
Rachin Ravindra seems to have found his top form with the bat. After struggling with the bat recently, the left-handed batsman has done well in the ongoing series. He scored 45 runs in the first ODI before scoring 79 runs in the second game.
He was New Zealand’s top scorer in the second game. The Black Caps will be hoping their first star can deliver again in the third game. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will hope to see his back early and will rely on Waninda Hasaranga for the same.
The batsman dismissed Ravindra in the second game and will be looking at more success against him.
Kusal Mendis vs Jacob Duffy:
Kusal Mendis has had a very disappointing tour of New Zealand so far and will want to end the tour on a high note. One of Sri Lanka’s main batsmen, the right-hander failed to live up to expectations, scoring 2 and 2 in the first two ODIs.
He will be looking to score big in the third ODI but faces a big threat from Jacob Duffy. Duffy dismissed Mendis in both games and will be eyeing a hat-trick against him. Mendis can win the game on his own and will look to win his duel against Duffy.
Key players NZ vs SL
NT – Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy will be some of the key players for New Zealand.
SL – Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana will be the key players for Sri Lanka.
Conclusion:
Although the series is already decided, both teams will still want to win the upcoming game. While New Zealand will be looking at a clean sheet, Sri Lanka will be desperate to win the game to regain some of their lost pride.
