NZ vs SL match preview

The second ODI of the ongoing three-match series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will take place on Wednesday (January 8). The match will be played at Seddon Park, Hamilton.

The Black Caps lead the series after their emphatic 9-wicket win in the first ODI. First, New Zealand bowled out Sri Lanka for just 178 runs.

In reply, they chased down the total of 27 overs losing just 1 wicket. With both teams now gearing up for NZ vs SL 2nd ODI here is the game preview.

NZ vs SL Match Preview – 2nd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25:

NZ vs SL Date and Venue:

The upcoming second ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will take place on Wednesday (January 8). The NZ vs SL match will be played at Seddon Park, Hamilton.

Equipment:

New Zealand:

Mitchell Santner (c), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Hay (seven), Tom Latham (seven), Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, William O’Rourke

Sri Lanka:

Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka FernandoNishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, We hate FernandoMohamed Shiraz, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga

Key battles NZ vs SL

Pathum Nissanka vs. Matt Henry:

This is the battle that has the potential to decide the course of the game. While New Zealand will rely on Matt Henry to get them off to a good start, Sri Lanka will expect the same from their opener Pathum Nissanka.

In the first ODI NZ vs SL, Henry managed to dismiss Nissanka for just 9 runs and New Zealand didn’t look back after that. Henry himself went on to pick 4 wickets while conceding just 19 runs in 10 overs. The New Zealand pace spearhead is also eyeing a similar performance in the second ODI.

Nissanka, on the other hand, will look to bounce back. He was in good touch in the T20I series where he also played a knock of 90 runs and will be keen to do well in the next match.

Will Young vs. Asitha Fernando:

Another player battle that has the potential to decide the fate of the game. Young has been in fantastic form of late. He did well in India, where New Zealand registered a historic 3-0 Test series win before impressing in Sri Lanka as well.

In the only Test he played against England at home last month, Young scored 42 and 60 and followed it up with a 50-run knock in the Super Smash game and IIn the first ODI against Sri Lanka, he scored an unbeaten 90 and will be looking to make the most of his form.

The onus will be on Asitha Fernando to make sure Young doesn’t score big in the second game. Fernando went wicketless in the first match and will be desperate to do well in the next match.

Kusal Mendis vs Jacob Duffy:

After the heavy defeat in the first ODI, Sri Lanka will definitely rely on Kusal Mendis for a series-levelling win. Mendis has the ability to single-handedly win a match and will be keen to turn things around after scoring just 2 runs in the first ODI.

He was kept clean by the in-form Jacob Duffy and the New Zealander will be hoping for more success against Sri Lanka. Duffy had also dismissed Mendis once in the T20I series and will take confidence from that.

Key players from NZ vs SL

New Zealand – Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy will be some of New Zealand’s key players.

SL – Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Asitha Fernando will be the key players for Sri Lanka.

Conclusion:

There will be a lot at stake in the upcoming match and both teams will be eager to win the match. While a New Zealand win will propel them to a series win, Sri Lanka need to win the game to keep the series alive.