The three match series between NZ and SL T20I is underway New Zealand and Sri Lanka will finish this week. The third and final game of the series will be played on Thursday (January 2) at Saxton Oval, Nelson.
The fate of the NZ vs SL series was already decided after New Zealand won the second match. After winning the first game by 8 runs, the Black Caps won the second game by 45 runs to take an elusive 2-0 lead in the series.
Although the NZ vs SL series has already been decided, both teams will want to win the third game to have a winning momentum for the upcoming ODI series. So here is the preview for the third New Zealand vs Sri Lanka T20I.
NZ vs SL Match Preview – 3rd T20I, Sri Lanka Tour of New Zealand 2024-25:
NZ vs. SL Date and place:
The upcoming second T20I between Sri Lanka and New Zealand will be held on Thursday (January 2). The NZ v SL game will be played at Saxton Oval, Nelson.
Determine:
New Zealand:
Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith.
Sri Lanka:
Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal. Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Suchhara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana.
NZ vs SL Key battles
Wanindu Hasaranga vs Mark Chapman:
Mark Chapman looked to be in good touch with the bat and Sri Lanka will be hoping to bring him back cheaply in the third game as they look to avoid defeat. The right-handed batsman top-scored for New Zealand in the second T20I.
After scoring 15 runs in the first T20I, Chapman scored 42 runs in the second game. His knock was 29 balls and was studded with two fours and as many sixes.
Wanindu Hasaranga broke Chapman’s knock and Sri Lanka will be hoping their star spinner wins the toss against Chapman in the third T20I as well. Hasaranga has taken 4 wickets in the series so far and will be eyeing a strong performance in the upcoming match.
Jacob Duffy vs Pathum Nissanka:
Jacob Duffy bowled for the home side in the second T20I. The fast bowler picked up 4 wickets for just 15 runs in his 4 overs. He dismissed the in-form Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana to put his team in the driver’s seat.
Duffy also took 3 wickets for just 21 runs in the first T20I. The Sri Lankan batsmen have struggled to deal with Duffy and the New Zealand pacer will be eyeing another good performance in the upcoming match.
He will be looking to win the duel with Nissanka to give his team a good start. Nissanka has looked good in the series so far, scoring 90 and 37 and will have a task to do against Duffy.
Daryl Mitchell vs Maheesh Theekshan:
One of New Zealand’s senior players in the current squad, Daryl Mitchell, has looked in good form in the ongoing series. The right-handed batsman scored a crucial half-century in the first game. New Zealand were reeling at 65 for 5 when Mitchell scored 62 runs and shared a decisive 105 runs with Michael Bracewell for the sixth wicket.
He started in the second game as well and was batting on 18 before his stay was cut short by a run out. With form on his side, Mitchell will be eyeing another big score in the third T20I. And Sri Lanka will rely on their spinner Maheesh Theekshana to silence the New Zealand star.
Theekshana had a poor performance in the second T20I and will be desperate to bounce back. The right-arm spinner outplayed Mitchell in the first T20I and will be looking to dismiss him once again.
Key players NZ vs SL
NT – Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner and Jacob Duffy will be some of the key players for New Zealand.
SL – Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga and Nuwan Suchhara will be the key players for Sri Lanka.
Conclusion:
Although New Zealand have already won the series, neither they nor Sri Lanka will take the third T20I lightly. With a three-match ODI series ahead, both teams will want to win the upcoming game to keep the momentum on their side.
