The third ODI of the ongoing NZ vs SL series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be taking place on Saturday (January 11, 2025). The final match of the series will be played at Eden Park, Auckland.
NZ vs SL series fate has already been decided following New Zealand’s win in the first two games. The hosts won the first game by 9 wickets. In the second game, the Mitchell Santner-led side inflicted a heavy 113-run defeat on Sri Lanka to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
In a game that was reduced to 37 overs per side, New Zealand scored 255/9 before bowling out Sri Lanka for just 142 runs. With both the teams now gearing up for the third ODI, here is the preview for the game.
NZ vs SL Match Preview – 3rd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25:
NZ vs SL Date and Venue:
The upcoming NZ vs SL third ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be taking place on Saturday (January 11. The NZ vs SL game will be played at Eden Park, Auckland.
Squads:
New Zealand:
Mitchell Santner (c), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Hay (wk), Tom Latham (wk), 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 behind Sri Lanka’s poor display with the bat in the first two games was their failure to get good starts. In both the games, their openers failed to see off the new ball and give the team a solid platform.
With Sri Lanka now desperate to avoid a whitewash 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 keen to do well.
However, it won’t 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 once again.
Rachin Ravindra vs Wanindu Hasaranga:
Rachin Ravindra seems to have found his top form with the bat. After struggling with the bat in recent times, the left-handed batsman has done well in the ongoing series. In the first ODI, he scored 45 runs 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 that their star opener delivers once again in the third game. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be hoping to see his back early and will be relying on Wanindu Hasaranga for the same.
The leg-spinner dismissed Ravindra in the second game and will be eyeing more success against him.
Kusal Mendis vs Jacob Duffy:
Kusal Mendis has had a very disappointing tour of New Zealand so far and he will be keen to end the tour on a good note. One of Sri Lanka’s main batsmen, the right-hander has failed to live up to the expectations, scoring 2 and 2 in the first two ODIs.
He will be keen to score big in the third ODI but faces a big threat from Jacob Duffy. Duffy dismissed Mendis in both the games and will be eyeing a hat-trick against him. Mendis can win a game single-handedly and will be looking to win his duel against Duffy.
NZ vs SL Key Players
NZ – 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:
While the series has already been decided, both the teams will still be keen to win the upcoming game. While New Zealand will be eyeing a clean sweep, Sri Lanka will be desperate to win the game to restore some of their lost pride.