After winning the first two games, Sri Lanka looks to sweep New Zealand in the final game of their three-match series.
Star batter Kusal Mendis has been the difference-maker for Sri Lanka and after putting up a career-high 143 runs in the first game, followed it up with a clutch 74 not out in game two. The home team’s bowlers have also stepped up, making life tough for New Zealand’s batters on these spin-friendly pitches.
The visiting New Zealand team has had its moments – Michael Bracewell’s impressive bowling performance of 4 wickets for 36 runs in the second game and Mark Chapman’s solid 76-run effort with the bat stand out. But they haven’t been able to put together a complete team performance when it matters.
NZ vs SL Team Analysis
New Zealand
Mitchell Santner will be leading the New Zealand team in the upcoming match. The onus will be on the captain to lead the team from the front to salvage some pride.
Also read: NZ vs SL Match Preview- 3rd ODI, New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka hasnt troubled the scorers in this series but will hope for a big score in the last matchup as Lankans look to sweep New Zealand.
NZ vs SL Key Factors
Pitch Conditions
The third NZ vs SL ODI will be played at the Pallekele international cricket stadium at Kandy. The pitch helps fast bowlers early on with pace and bounce but later offers some assistance to spinners. The average first-innings score at this venue is 248.
Form and Fitness
All the players in both squads are fit and available for the third NZ vs SL T20I.
Tactical Acumen
New Zealand – New Zealand will rely on disciplined bowling and utilize swing and seam movement effectively in favorable conditions to trouble opposition batters. Mark Chapman will be key with his form and is capable of adapting to different match scenarios whether rebuilding innings or accelerating the scoring rate.
Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka, on the other hand will rely heavily on their spinners to exploit turning tracks and apply pressure during the middle overs. Their batting strategy will revolve around Kusal Mendis who will look to build strong partnerships with experienced players anchoring the innings while others take on aggressive roles.
NZ vs SL Match Prediction- 3rd ODI, New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024
NZ vs SL Score Prediction
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
| NZ | 220-250 | 210-230 |
| SL | 240-270 | 210-230 |
NZ vs SL – Players to perform prediction
NZ: Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Will Young and Glenn Phillips are key players for New Zealand.
SL: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay are the key players for Sri Lanka.
Best Batsman Prediction
Who will score the most runs for NZ in the match: Will Young or Mark Chapman
Who will score the most runs for SL in the match: Avishka Fernando or Kushal Mendis
Best Bowler Prediction
Who will pick the most wickets for NZ in the match: Jacob Duffy or Michael Bracewell
Who will pick the most wickets for SL in the match: Maheesh Theekshana or Jeffrey Vandersay
Final Thought: Who will win the match?
New Zealand will depend on quick, disciplined swing and seam bowling complemented with a competitive middle order that can alter to suit the situation. Their tight fielding can then seek to transform half-chances into the big plays but Sri Lanka is likely to win as their spinners will dictate the proceedings.
