Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Preview & Prediction | 1st One-Day International
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Following consecutive day-night T20 fixtures ending in a split series, Sri Lanka and New Zealand now turn their attentions to 50-over cricket in this, the first of three ODIs.
Date/Time: Wednesday 13th November 2024 - UK – 9:00pm / India – 1:30pm / US EST – 4:00am / US PST – 1:00am
Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Weather: Extremely hot conditions with temperatures reaching highs of 28c, but a chance of thundery showers across the scheduled hours of play.
How To Watch On TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Willow TV
How To Watch Online: UK – discovery+ / US – Willow TV
Sri Lanka Betting Analysis
Sri Lanka were forced to share the T20 series between these two nations after finding themselves on the wrong end of a thrilling second match on Sunday, the hosts losing by just 5 runs. Chasing 109 runs to win, Sri Lanka ended up bowled out for 103 with a ball remaining as only three home players scoring double-figures.
Of that 103, 52 of those runs were scored by Pathum Nissanka, the opener making a mockery of conditions which suited the bowlers. Nissanka’s game is well-suited to 50-over cricket and it would be no surprise to see him in the runs again on Wednesday. Therefore, consider backing Nissanka to accrue over 31.5 match runs.
New Zealand Betting Analysis
New Zealand saved the T20 series with an excellent bowling performance, with Lockie Ferguson the standout. The right-arm pacer’s three wickets came in the form of a hat-trick, whilst all-rounder Glenn Phillips also claimed three wickets as the spinners were afforded success, bailing out the batters who had struggled throughout.
Ferguson is likely to take that momentum garnered from Sunday and bring it with him into the ODIs. The Sri Lankan batters should struggle against his speed, which always gives Ferguson a chance of wickets. If he is named in the Black Caps line-up, then back Ferguson to finish this game as New Zealand’s top bowler.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Expert Prediction
Although Sri Lanka’s collapse in the second T20i was desperately poor, the license to play with more caution in 50-over-cricket what with the vast increase in balls faced should play into their favour against the New Zealand spinners.
Figuring out how to approach this encounter from a batting perspective will be difficult for the Black Caps regardless of whether they are setting or chasing a target and could lead to them falling victim to Sri Lanka’s trail by spin. The smart move would be backing Sri Lanka with that home advantage to finish on the winning side.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Tip: Sri Lanka to win
