New Zealand will be looking at a clean sweep when they take on Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI of the ongoing series. The game is due to be played in Auckland on Saturday (January 11).
The Black Caps have already won the series with victories in the first two games. They registered a 9-wicket victory in the first ODI before winning the second game by 113 runs to take an elusive 2-0 lead in the series.
After rain saw the second match reduced to 37 overs a side, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 255/9 in the allotted overs. Opener Rachin Ravindra top-scored for his side, scoring 79 runs, while Mark Chapman scored 62 runs. For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana took 4 wickets including a hat-trick.
With the bat, Sri Lanka again came up with a disappointing effort and were bowled out for just 142 runs. Kamindu Mendis was the only Sri Lankan batsman to score more than 30 runs as he scored 64. For New Zealand, William O’Rourke was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets.
With New Zealand now eyeing another win in the third ODI, we take a look at the New Zealand Playing 11 for the upcoming match.
New Zealand 11 vs Sri Lanka – 3rd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25:
Openers: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra
Will Young and Rachin Ravindra look set to retain their places as openers in the New Zealand Playing 11. Both the batsmen have done well in the series so far and will look to end the series on a high note.
Young, who scored an unbeaten 90 in the first ODI, scored 16 runs in the second game and will be looking for a comeback. He has been in good form of late and will be looking to finish the series on a high.
On the other hand, Ravindra was the top scorer for the BlackCaps in the second ODI. The left-handed batsman scored 79 runs off just 63 balls with the help of 9 fours and a six. With form on his side, he will be looking at another good outing.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith
Mark Chapman also made the most of his good form of late by scoring a crucial 50 in the second ODI. He scored 62 runs off 52 balls with the help of 5 fours and two sixes. Daryl Mitchell scored a run-a-ball 38 and will be eyeing a big score in the third ODI.
Tom Latham will be all set to score well in the upcoming match after scoring just 1 run in the second ODI. Glenn Phillips scored 22 runs and will also look to contribute in the upcoming game.
Captain Mitchell Santner led his troops from the front as he contributed with both bat and ball. After scoring 20 runs, Santner claimed 1 wicket while conceding just 14 runs in 5 overs. He also came up with a brilliant try to run out fellow Sri Lankan Charitha Asalanka.
Nathan Smith couldn’t do well with the bat as he looked for a duck. He won the wicket with the ball with a sensational diving catch.
Bowlers: Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, William O’Rourke
The BlackCaps are unlikely to change the bowling line-up in the New Zealand Playing 11. Matt Henry is expected to lead the attack with Jacob Duffy and William O’Rourke as his bowling partners. Henry took 1 wicket in the second game, while Duffy and O’Rourke took 2 and 3 wickets respectively.
