New Delhi: Sri Lanka will be eyeing a winning start to their tour of New Zealand when they lock horns against the hosts in the first T20I of the three-match series. The first game is scheduled to be played on Saturday (December 28) at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
The Lankans have started the tour in a promising fashion by winning both the warm-up games. In the first warm-up game against a New Zealand XI, Lanka registered a 7-wicket win. The visitors bowled out the home side for just 94 runs and chased down the total inside 11 overs.
SL -125/8
Now It’s Very Much Confirmed That New Zealand Gonna Win This Match And Even With a Huge NRR even
So 4th Semis Spot is Now NZ
15th NOV it’s IND vs NZ (SF-1) #NZvsSL pic.twitter.com/JWU6MTrThk— VINEETH𓃵👑 (@sololoveee) November 9, 2023
How will the pitch behave for the first T20I?
The pitch at Bay Oval will be a fast-paced pitch which is going to favour the seamers of both teams. Naturally, the likes of Nathan Smith and Matt Henry will look to scalp important wickets with the new ball in hand. Meanwhile, the spinners will look to extract some turn once the ball becomes old.
On the other hand, the Lankans will be banking on the express press and the quirky action of Pathirana and Avishka Fernando who had a decent outing on the recently concluded tour of South Africa.
…Once upon a time, there lived a ghost..!!!!
Bowling Average of Glenn McGrath against major Test playing nations:
Vs Ind: 18.64
Vs WI: 19.38
Vs Eng: 20.92
Vs Pak: 21.70
Vs SL: 22.24
Vs Nz: 25.33
Vs SA: 27.33pic.twitter.com/Xmh1kkp2nu— House_of_Cricket (@Houseof_Cricket) December 22, 2024
What is the weather report of the 1st T20I?
The temperature is pegged at a peak point of 21 degrees and the base mark is at 13 degrees. However, the major question remains is whether a full game will take place or not. Unfortunately, there is a rain prediction for the match day i.e. Sunday (November 20).
There are 17 per cent chances of thunderstorms and 49 per cent chances of rain that can fall at 7.6 mm. It will be light showers in the morning but will strengthen as the day progresses. At the best, we may see a truncated match.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I: Predicted Playing XI
New Zealand Probable XI
Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Mitch Hay, Mark Chapman
Sri Lanka Probable XI
Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana