Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st T20I: Preview and Predictions

Can New Zealand recreate the magic from India?

After picking up a historic series win in India, New Zealand are now in Sri Lanka for a white-ball tour with Mitchell Santner leading a young Kiwi side.

Ahead of the first T20I here’s our match preview and predictions.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 1st T20I | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | 19:00 IST, November 9

Santner will be leading a relatively inexperienced and fresh squad in Sri Lanka with Henry Nicholls, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Philips, Lockie Ferguson being the experienced lot for the visitors. The batting unit will be led by Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Philips and Michael Bracewell with the likes of Josh Clarkson, Zakary Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft and Mark Chapman, adding balance to the squad with the bat and the ball. There is more experience in the bowling unit, with Lockie Ferguson leading the lineup with the likes of Ish Sodhi, Glenn Philips, Mitchell Santner set to play a key role in the sub continent. 

The hosts on the other hand have a much more experienced and balanced squad with Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa being the main batters for Sri Lanka. Skipper Charith Asalanka is one of the many all-rounders in the squad and he has plenty of bowling options in the likes of Matheesha Pathirana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Thushara, Jeffrey Vandersay and Dunity Wellalage.

The Dambulla ground general has something for the bowlers, with the seamers set to get purchase under the light while the spinners will come into play later on in the innings. The hosts are our favourites to start the series with a win given their more experienced squad.

Fantasy XI: Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Mark Chapman, Glenn Philips, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mitchell Santner, Matheesha Pathirana, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi

Venue: Dambulla

Winners Prediction: Sri Lanka