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New Zealand
Sri Lanka
The New Zealand vs Sri Lanka ODI series will begin with the 1st ODI on Sunday at the Basin Reserve Stadium. In the last 6 ODIs between the two teams, both teams have won 2 matches each and two fixtures have ended with no result.
New Zealand is coming to play the ODI format after winning the T20 international series by 2-1. They completely dominated the series by winning the first two fixtures but the series ended up with a loss in the 3rd T20i. However, the hosts will be confident enough to repeat the same result in the ODI series as well.
Sri Lanka lost the first two T20 internationals but came to the winning ways in the 3rd T20 and ended the series on a positive note. A series loss will hurt the team morale but a new beginning can be expected in the ODI format.
Kusal Mendis is the leading scorer in the ODI in 2024 with 742 runs in 17 ODIs at an average of 53 with a strike rate of 90.59.
The betting tip is...
Kusal Mendis will be the top scorer.
55 %
45 %
New ZealandSri LankaThe Kiwis will be under the leadership of Mitchell Santner. For the ODIs, the team management has called Will Young and Will O'Rourke. Will O'Rourke has been called after a busy schedule of Test fixtures and hence he was on a break from cricket action in the T20 format.
The management has also recalled Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Matt Henry to the team. All three players were rested during New Zealandβs tour to Sri Lanka to make sure they were available for the Test series against England.
Lockie Ferguson, Finn Allen, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert are missing out on the series because of their commitment towards the Big Bash League 2024-25 happening in Australia. Kane Williamson and Devon Conway are also not part of the squad because of their commitment towards SA20 2025.
Will Young, Tom Latham, and Glenn Phillips are the key players for the team.
Predicted Lineup: Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young
Charith Asalanka will be the leading man for Sri Lanka in the ODI series. Eshan Malinga has been selected for the ODI series and he will be hoping to get his maiden cap in the 1st ODI. He was impressive in List A cricket in 2024 and, overall, had 20 wickets in 12 List A fixtures at an average of 25.15.
Lahiru Kumara is another addition to the pace unit of the team and he will be expected to perform exceptionally well. The team management has decided to drop Sadeera Samarawickrama and replace him with Nuwanidu Fernando.
The rest of the squad remains similar for Sri Lanka as compared to the T20 series. Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis will serve as important names in the batting unit. Kusal Mendis is a crucial player for the team as he was the leading run-scorer in 2024 in the ODI format with 742 runs in 17 ODIs at an average of 53 with a strike rate of 90.59.
Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Charith Asalanka are the key players for the team.
Predicted Lineup: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga
The two teams have experienced different results in the ODI format in 2024. The hosts have just played 3 ODIs and have failed to win a single one.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has been part of 18 ODIs and has scored 12 wins and has lost 3 fixtures.
They are now well aware of the playing conditions as well. New Zealand is without some of their key players and Sri Lanka will get the benefit of the same. We predict a win for Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI.
