NZ vs SL: After defeating Sri Lanka 2-0 at home in the test series, New Zealand will play three ODI matches against them. On March 25, at 6:30 a.m. IST (2:00 p.m. local time), Eden Park, Auckland, will host the first one-day international of the series. The series will be very important to Lanka because it will be their last chance to qualify directly for the ICC World Cup in 2023.

NZ vs SL: An overview

The two-match Test series was won by New Zealand 2-0, including a final ball thriller in the first match. But Tom Latham’s home team won’t feel much better after the test series because they won’t be able to play in the IPL without Devon Conway and Kane Williamson, who scored 337 runs. Michael Bracewell and Tim Southee will also not be available for selection. The Lankan team will have a great chance to get back on track before the ODI World Cup.

Sri Lanka has trailed New Zealand by a significant margin in recent ODI matches. They have been on a 13-game dominant streak in ODIs at home starting around 2019. In addition, they have won their five previous encounters with Sri Lanka. When the two teams last met, New Zealand prevailed with 203 balls remaining by 10 wickets. Some notable performances from that game included Martin Guptill’s 73 off 51 balls and Matt Henry’s three for 29.

NZ vs SL: Match details

Match: NZ vs SL 1st ODI, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2023

Date: Saturday, March 25, 2023

Time: 6:30 AM 

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

NZ vs SL: Match Overview

New Zealand

With the majority of players participating in the IPL, captain Tom Latham will have a significant challenge in defending his 22-year record of winning all ODI series at home against Sri Lanka. In the absence of Devon Conway, Finn Allen and Henry Nichols are expected to begin the game. In the past two years, the average age of Allen and Nichols was less than 30. Will Young’s addition will be crucial for New Zealand’s fight against the visitors. In the three games Young has played in New Zealand thus far, he has scored two centuries.

Along with Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell, Latham will play a role in the middle. In the past two years, Latham has played 21 innings and scored 771 runs. With an average of 45.35, this includes three centuries and two half-centuries. He has scored all three centuries while playing in New Zealand, where he bats six innings at an average of 222. In fact, he had scored 145 in 104 balls against India in the same venue while chasing 307 runs. Our pick for the best batter is him. Since last year, Mitchell has been living his life to the fullest. In the three games he has played at home, he has averaged 122.

Along with Lockie Ferguson and Blair Tickner, Matt Henry will be in charge of the bowling attack. Henry has taken nine wickets in four home games. He has performed admirably against Sri Lanka. Henry has taken 21 wickets in eight innings against the visitors. In the team, Ish Sodhi will play the spinner. It will be interesting to see if New Zealand selects Rachin Ravindra or Mark Chapman.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s opening pair of innings will likely be Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. In the past two seasons, Nissanka has been Lanka’s second-leading run scorer. In 18 innings, he has scored 607 runs at an average of 35.70. In each of his three innings, he has scored at least fifty runs. In recent years, Mendis has not had many opportunities. He has scored 101 runs in four games. Dhananjaya de Silva will come close to bat at number three. Since 2021, De Silva has scored 498 runs in 20 innings.

We will select Charith Asalanka to bat first. For the past two seasons, the middle-order batter has scored the most runs for Lanka. He has scored 791 runs at an average of 41.63 over 21 innings. This includes six half-centuries and a century. In the middle order, Asalanka will merge with Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga. Out of all of them, Shanaka has played the most ODIs. However, his average is only 28. Hasaranga has scored 393 runs with the bat. However, his leg spin poses a greater threat to the hosts. In the past two years, Hasaranga has taken 21 wickets in 18 innings at an economy of 4.91.

NZ vs SL: Probable XI

New Zealand

Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Will Young, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner, Tom Latham (c), Finn Allen, Henry Nichols, Ish Sodhi, Mark Chapman.

Sri Lanka

Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Pathum Nisanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Lahiru Kumara, Dunith Wellalage

NZ vs SL: Pitch report

On March 25, Eden Park, Auckland, will host the first one-day international, beginning at 6:30 a.m. IST (2:00 p.m. local time). The venue has hosted 50 Tests, 82 One-Day Internationals, and 27 Twenty20 Internationals so far, with a seating capacity of 41,000. At this location, New Zealand has posted the highest total (340).

NZ vs SL: Weather report

There will be some cloud cover, but it won’t rain. The temperature will range from 16 to 22 degrees Celsius. 17-20 km/h will be the wind speed coming from the west. On this surface, scoring runs is simple. Spinners find a favorable turn as the game progresses, while pacers gain an early advantage.

NZ vs SL: Toss prediction

In 82 ODIs, the second-batting team has prevailed 46 times. At this location, New Zealand defeated Australia by 337 runs. Bowling should begin with the team that won the toss.

NZ vs SL: Pre-play prediction

Best batter: Pathum Nissanka (SL), Tom Latham (NZ)

Best bowler: Dunith Wellalage (SL), Lockie Ferguson (NZ)

Top all-rounder: Wanindu Hasaranga (SL), Daryl Mitchell (NZ)

Player of the match: Tom Latham (NZ)

NZ vs SL: Match Prediction

At home, New Zealand has performed admirably. They haven’t lost an ODI beginning around 2019. Since then, they have won 13 ODI matches. Despite the absence of key players, New Zealand has sufficient firepower to maintain their five-match ODI winning streak against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is absolutely determined to achieve success. The outcome has an impact on their World Cup qualification. However, they haven’t done well in this format. They have lost four of their last five games, including a defeat to India by 317 runs.

We predict that Sri Lanka will be defeated by New Zealand.

NZ vs SL: Disclaimer

Our research and predictions were based on the extensive data we gathered from various sources. The framework will be constructed with the data we provide. A set of rules and frameworks were used to create each one based on the information we were given. These two are intertwined in the data we have compiled for you. The use of our information is generally encouraged, but please keep in mind that you are solely responsible for any risks.