NZ vs SL Match Preview - 2nd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25

The second ODI of the NZ vs SL ongoing three-match series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be taking place on Wednesday (January 8). The game will be played at the Seddon Park, Hamilton.

The Black Caps are leading the series after their thumping 9-wicket victory in the first ODI. Bowling first, New Zealand bowled out Sri Lanka for just 178 runs.

In reply, they chased down the total inside 27 overs by losing only 1 wicket. With both the teams now gearing up for the NZ vs SL second ODI, here is the preview for the game.

NZ vs SL Match Preview - 2nd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25:

NZ vs SL Date and Venue:

The upcoming second ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be taking place on Wednesday (January 8). The NZ vs SL game will be played at Seddon Park, Hamilton.

Squads:

New Zealand:

Mitchell Santner (c), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Hay (wk), Tom Latham (wk), Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, William O'Rourke

Sri Lanka:

Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga

NZ vs SL Key Battles

Pathum Nissanka vs Matt Henry:

This is the battle that has the potential to decide the course of the game. While New Zealand will be relying on Matt Henry to give them a good start, Sri Lanka will be expecting the same from their opener Pathum Nissanka.

In the NZ vs SL first ODI, Henry managed to dismiss Nissanka for just 9 runs and New Zealand did not look back after that. Henry himself went on to pick 4 wickets while conceding only 19 runs in 10 overs. The New Zealand pace spearhead will be eyeing a similar performance in the second ODI as well.

Nissanka, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back. He looked in good touch in the T20I series where he also played a 90-run knock and will be keen to do well in the upcoming game.

Will Young vs Asitha Fernando:

Another player battle that has the potential to decide the fate of the game. Young has been in terrific form in recent times. He did well in India where New Zealand registered a historic 3-0 win in the Test series before impressing in Sri Lanka as well.

In the only Test that he played against England at home last month, Young scored 42 and 60 and followed it up with a 50-run knock in the Super Smash game and in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, he scored an unbeaten 90 and will be looking to make the most of his form.

The onus will be on Asitha Fernando to ensure that Young does not score big in the second game. Fernando went wicketless in the first game and will be desperate to do well in the upcoming game.

Kusal Mendis vs Jacob Duffy:

After the heavy defeat in the first ODI, Sri Lanka will definitely be relying on Kusal Mendis as they eye a series-leveling win. Mendis has the ability to win a game single-handedly and he will be keen to turn things around after scoring only 2 runs in the first ODI.

He was clean bowled by in-form Jacob Duffy and the New Zealand pacer will be eyeing more success against Sri Lanka. Duffy had also dismissed Mendis once in the T20I series and will be taking confidence from that.

NZ vs SL Key Players

NZ - Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, and Jacob Duffy will be some of the key players for New Zealand.

SL - Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Asitha Fernando will be the key players for Sri Lanka.

Conclusion:

A lot will be at stake in the upcoming game and both the teams will be keen to win the match. While a win for New Zealand will power them to a series win, Sri Lanka need to win the game to keep the series alive.