New Zealand will host Sri Lanka in the 2 matches Test series followed by the 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. The 1st Test will get underway on Thursday. New Zealand didn’t make any changes to their squad for this series following a one-run win over England last week. Sri Lanka on the other hand must win the series 2-0 to stay in the WTC final race.
Match Details:
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Date & Time: March 9th-13th, at 3:30 AM IST and 11:00 AM Local Time
Live Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
What is the pitch report for NZ vs SL, 1st Test?
It’s always challenging for the visiting batters to survive on these types of surfaces which offer swing and bounce. There will be purchases for the seamers throughout the game. The batters need to be patient and bat long. Bowling first is a good option.
Hear from the @NZRedCross, Neil Wagner and Blair Tickner on the ongoing efforts to raise funds for those affected by the recent weather events. Public can text DONATE to 540 to receive a link to the donation site, with funds going directly to the Disaster Fund. pic.twitter.com/9OsiUcSVaH
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 8, 2023
Recent form:
New Zealand: Won Lost Draw Draw Lost
Sri Lanka: Won Lost Won Lost Won
NZ vs SL, 1st Test Probable Winners:
New Zealand are expected to win this match.
Signed shirts from the historic Test match against England will be added to the fundraising efforts with @ANZAotearoa in addition to dedicating the opening #NZvSL ODI to help raise funds for those communities devastated by recent weather events More | https://t.co/raZXLi8nYz
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 7, 2023
What is the expected, Probable Playing XIs for NZ vs SL, 1st Test?
New Zealand
Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (c), Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Will Young / Blair Tickner
Sri Lanka
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando / Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha / Lahiru Kumara
Injury Updates:
As of now, there are no injury concerns on both side. It will be added when there is an update.
What are the Top Picks, players for Dream11, My11circle and MPL for NZ vs SL, 1st Test?
Top Pick – Batter
Kane Williamson has impressive numbers against Sri Lanka in the longest format. In 10 matches, he has scored 992 runs at an average of 66.13 with the highest score of 242*.
Top Pick – All-Rounder
Michael Bracewell is slowly cementing his place in the regular New Zealand side. In his 6 Test matches, he has scored 224 runs at an average of 20.36 and picked up 18 wickets.
Top Pick – Bowler
Neil Wagner always picks wickets with the old ball. He makes the difference when nothing is happening off the surface. In the last series against England, he scalped 11 wickets in 2 matches with the best figures of 4 for 62 in an innings.
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Tom Blundell finished as the top run-scorer for New Zealand in the 2 matches Test series against England. Including one century and a half-century, he has notched 267 runs at an average of 66.75 with the highest score of 138.
X-Factor:
Tom Latham got a good kick-off to this year, in 3 Test matches, he scored 267 runs at an average of 44.5 with the highest score of 83.
The two Captains pose for the shutterbugs ahead of the #NZvSL two match Test series. ????
Who do you reckon is taking this ???? home ?
Photo Credit: @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/RD0arOxAz6
— Sri Lanka Cricket ???????? (@OfficialSLC) March 7, 2023
What are the fantasy suggested teams for NZ vs SL, 1st Test?
1. Kusal Mendis, Tom Blundell (vc), Angelo Mathews, Kane Williamson (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Michael Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Asitha Fernando
2. Niroshan Dickwella, Angelo Mathews, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham (c), Dhananjaya De Silva, Devon Conway, Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee, Vishwa Fernando, Matt Henry (vc)
Pre-Match Analysis:
New Zealand gave a stunning reply to England in the 2nd Test and became the only 4th side to win the Test after being enforced the follow-on. They played out one of the memorable Tests and won by a mere one run on the final day. They haven’t made any changes and kept the same 13-man squad to face the Lankan lions. Kane Williamson returned to the form when the side was in extreme danger and struck 132 runs in the 2nd innings of the 2nd Test which shows his caliber. Neil Wagner was the man behind the success of the side in a famous win over England who bowled his heart out. Tom Blundell always shows up when the side is in deep trouble and has been top-notch behind the stumps. The expectations are huge from openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway. Will they go with an extra batter or will they field a bowler we need to wait and watch?
Sri Lanka on the other hand last toured New Zealand for the Test series back in 2018 where they lost 1-0. With the WTC final around the corner, it’s going to be a significant series for them with Australia waiting. They have named uncapped Nishan Madushka and Milan Rathnayake to the Test squad after their heroics against England Lions. Dimuth Karunaratne will continue to lead the side in this series. Considering the pace and bouncy conditions of New Zealand they strongly bolstered their bowling unit with pacers with only Prabath Jayasuriya being the genuine spinner. They are currently placed 3rd in the WTC standings with a PCT of 53.33 %.
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