Sri Lanka will look to bounce back when they take on New Zealand in the first ODI of the three-match series. The match is scheduled to be played on Sunday (January 5) at Basin Reserve, Wellington.
The Islanders lost the recently concluded T20I series against the Black Caps. However, they managed to end the series on a winning note and will be looking to make the most of the momentum. In the third T20I, Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by 7 runs.
Batting first, the Charith Asalanka-led team scored 218/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Kusal Perera played with the bat, scoring 101 off 46 balls, while Asalanka also impressed with the bat, scoring 46 off 24 balls.
The Sri Lankan bowlers then held their nerve to propel their side to a hard-fought victory. New Zealand put up a fighting effort but eventually fell short by 7 runs, finishing on 211/7.
With both teams now gearing up for the first ODI, we take a look at Sri Lanka playing 11 for the first NZ vs SL ODI.
Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs New Zealand – 1st ODI, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25:
Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (week)
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are expected to open in Sri Lanka Playing 11 for the first ODI against New Zealand. The opening task will be to give their team a good start with the bat.
Nissanka looked in brilliant touch in the recently concluded T20I series. In the first game, he scored 90 runs, though it was ultimately in vain as Sri Lanka lost the game by 7 runs. He followed it up with shots of 37 and 14.
On the other hand, Mendis got the start in all the three outings as well but could not score big. In the first game, he scored 46 runs while sharing a century-plus stand with Nissanka. In the next two games, the right-handed batsman scored 10 and 22.
Middle Order Batsmen and Constables: Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c) Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga
Even though Avishka Fernando could not impress in the T20I series, he is expected to retain his place in the Sri Lanka Playing 11. Fernando played two of the three T20Is against New Zealand and registered scores of 5 and 17.
Sadeera Samarawickrama is set to return to the Sri Lanka Playing XI after missing the T20I series. He failed to impress during the home ODI series against New Zealand a few months ago and will be eyeing a better show in the upcoming series.
Kamindu Mendis has been withdrawn from the Sri Lanka Playing 11 for the third T20I but is expected to return to the squad for the first ODI. He was removed after going 0 and 7 in the first two games.
Captain Charith Asalanka led from the front in the third T20I and will be eyeing a similar performance in the first ODI. After scoring 46 runs from 24 balls, Asalanka took 3 wickets to propel his team to a much needed victory.
Janith Liyanage and Wanindu Hasaranga are expected to be the two all-rounders in Sri Lanka's Playing 11. Liyanage, who was not part of Sri Lanka's squad for the T20Is, will look to make an impact, while Hasaranga has played in all three . games and picked up 6 wickets.
Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara
Sri Lanka are expected to field three front-line bowlers in the squad. Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara are expected to be the two fast bowlers while Maheesh Theekshana will be the frontline spinner.