New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2019, Only T20I: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

After the ODI series whitewash, New Zealand will face Sri Lanka in the One-off T20I game at the Eden Park on Friday under the captaincy of Tim Southee. The Kiwis have been a struggling side in the T20I format since the series loss to Pakistan at home. They have won only one of their previous 10 T20 International matches. Jimmy Neesham, who was New Zealand’s X-factor during the ODI series has been ruled out of this T20I fixture due to injury.

Sri Lanka are not any good in this format having lost their four of their last five T20I matches. Led by Lasith Malinga, the Lankan team has some attractive batsmen suited for T20I cricket. They will be hoping to end the tour on a high by registering their first win of 2018. This game is crucial for New Zealand as they lost each of their last six T20Is. Another defeat will just extend their losing streak and make things worse.

Match Details:

The One-off T20I match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be hosted by the Eden Park in Auckland.

The match starts at 7:00 PM local time (6:00 AM GMT) (11:30 AM IST). The game will be live on Star Sports Select 1 and Star Sports Select 1 HD in India. (Live streaming in Hotstar)

Last five T20I matches:

New Zealand: L, L, L, L, L.

Sri Lanka: L, W, L, L, L.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The Eden Park hosted three T20Is in 2018 – Pakistan scored 201/4 and won by 48 runs, Australia chased down a record 244-run total and New Zealand got just 150/9 to lose the game. The results more or less confirm it is going to be a high-scoring contest between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The side with a good bowling attack can be sure of a win even while defending any score here.

Squads:

New Zealand:

Tim Southee (C), Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Colin Munro, Doug Bracewell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor.

Sri Lanka:

Lasith Malinga (C), Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Asela Gunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Sadeera Samarawickrama.

Injury and Availability Updates after the announcement of the squads:

(Will be added when there is an update)

Power Picks:

Kusal Mendis scored four fifties in his first five T20I innings in 2018. Across eight T20I matches in 2018, Mendis scored 259 runs at an average of 32.37 and a strike-rate of 158.89. He will be a crucial player for Sri Lanka if he opens the innings.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Colin Munro’s T20I record makes him a clear cut for the captain’s role alongside his opening partner Martin Guptill. The likes of Kusal Mendis and Thisara Perera can also be considered for the same given their recent record. Kusal Perera and Ish Sodhi can be selected as vice-captain.

Playing XI #1 for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Niroshan Dickwella

Batsmen – Henry Nicholls, Kusal Mendis (VC), Kusal Perera, Martin Guptill

All-Rounders – Colin Munro (C), Thisara Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva

Bowlers – Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Seth Rance

Playing XI #2 for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Tim Seifert

Batsmen – Ross Taylor, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Martin Guptill (C)

All-Rounders – Thisara Perera (VC), Dhananjaya de Silva

Bowlers – Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Lasith Malinga, Tim Southee

Expert Advice:

At least two players with 8 credits need to be picked to be able to fit in both Colin Munro and Martin Guptill. This is because the New Zealand opener costs 10.5 credits while the likes of Dickwella and Thisara are at 9.5 leaving 60 credits for seven players.

Probable Winners:

New Zealand is expected to win this one-off T20I but Sri Lanka can come up with a surprise.

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