After a dominating show in the second Test which saw the hosts mercilessly thumping the visitors by a hefty margin of 423 runs to win the Test series 1-0, the Blackcaps will now move into the One-day series with a backpack of momentum and confidence.
A depleted Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have a lot to answer, they agonizingly survived the first Test when the final day was washed out due to heavy rains but they had no answers in the following Test as the Kiwis plundered them with a heavy margin.
There is a complete makeover in the Sri Lanka ODI squad which would be lead by the veteran Lasith Malinga who has got the opportunity to lead this young side in the limited overs format from now on. He got a new life in the Asia Cup 2018 and since then he has rejuvenated himself to take command of these young lads.
New Zealand is generally cooler but at the Bay Oval in Tauranga humidity around 70% is expected. The last One-dayer played at this venue was played in February 2018 where England chased down 223 set by New Zealand. The surface is expected to assist the seam bowlers.
Where – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
When – 06:30 AM IST, January 03, 2019
Sri Lanka Squad: Lasith Malinga (c), Kusal Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Seekkuge Prasanna, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha.
New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Doug Bracewell, Martin Guptill, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, James Neesham, Ross Taylor, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Seifert, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi.
Sri Lanka:
Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Danushak Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, D de Silva, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan, Kasun Rajitha. (Doubr: Sekkuge Prasanna)
New Zealand:
Tom Seifert, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Jimmy Neesham, Colin Munro, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson. (Doubt: Doug Bracewell)
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New Zealand Fantasy Picks
Make SL vs NZ Dream11 Team as per your discretion from the squad listed in the article.