Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Prediction: Sri Lanka are on winning run

Sri Lanka and New Zealand are going head to head in the Match 3 of One Day Series at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, Sri Lanka on 19th November 2024. Sri Lanka are on winning run where they have won six in seven games. Who will win this game of cricket?

Charith Asalanka will be pleased with the series performance of his team. They were always favourite to win the series, playing on home conditions, and have pushed their luck by capitalising on the dusty tracks. Bowling attack has done comparatively well, but it is the performance from the batsmen that Asalanka wants to improve in particular, who have failed to deliver against New Zealand's bowlers. Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando will have to go out there and give a good start to the team and make some front-foot punches against the Kiwi bowling before the ball gets old. Kusal Mendis batted impressively in the last match and will again play a pivotal role in the middle order with Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka, with Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dunith Wellalage giving big hitters among the lower-middle order. The bowling department did quite well to keep New Zealand in the chequebook of low totals in the previous game. Both Asitha Fernando and Dunith Wellalage are expected to cause early jitters for New Zealand. Maheesh Theekshana has done well in troubling the Kiwi batsmen, and it's going to be crucial for him, along with Janith Liyanage, in the middle overs. It remains a question of time when Jeffrey Vandersay and Asalanka will get their teams out of pressure in their supportive roles.

Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando

Mitchell Santner's team came to Sri Lanka on a high after winning the series in India. But they have been brought down to earth somewhat in this series where they have played a lot of young players. Despite the series already being in Sri Lanka's favor, the Kiwis are determined to play for their pride. The team's batsmen have struggled, and Santner is hoping for a better performance from them. The effort of Will Young and Tim Robinson will do a lot of help to the top order, while Mark Chapman was the promising face from the last game and will be looked upon for better partnerships with Glenn Phillips and Henry Nicholls in the middle order. The match-winning ability of Mitchell Santner, Mitch Hay, and Michael Bracewell will make a difference in this game. The Kiwis have a strong bowling, especially a potent attack by Jacob Duffy and Santner to give the first strikes early. Then, Bracewell along with Ish Sodhi will continue keeping the pressure from the middle overs. Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith can also be important for their secondary roles within the game.

Mitchell Santner (c), Will Young, Mitch Hay (wk), Henry Nicholls, Jacob Duffy, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Ish Sodhi

The current team of New Zealand cricket also faces the same problem that the previous teams suffered against Sri Lanka. The batting unit of the team failed to time the ball while facing slow tracks and will have to get used to their current pattern. Sri Lanka enjoys a sweet home coming and has the perfect bowling setup for the given conditions to win the match against the visitors.