SL vs NZ Match Preview- 1st ODI, New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024

After the Test and T20I series, Sri Lanka and New Zealand will be up against each other in the ODI series this week. The first game of the three-match SL vs NZ ODI series will be taking place on Wednesday (November 13).

Sri Lanka whitewashed New Zealand in the two-match Test series before winning the first T20I as well. New Zealand then registered a remarkable win in the second T20I to avoid a series loss.

With Sri Lanka looking almost unbeatable at home and New Zealand finally getting some momentum following the win in the second T20I, the stage is perfectly set for a thrilling ODI series. So before the game gets underway, here is the SL vs NZ match preview for the series opener.

Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: ICC threatens to shift tournament to South Africa amid Pakistan-India dispute

SL vs NZ 1st ODI Date and Venue

The first Sri Lanka vs New Zealand ODI will be taking place on Wednesday (November 13). The match will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla.

SL vs NZ Match Preview- 1st ODI, New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2924

Sri Lanka:

Charith Asalanka will be leading a full-strength Sri Lankan side against New Zealand in the first ODI.

SL squad:

Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Mohamed Shiraz

New Zealand

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner will be leading New Zealand in the ODI series.

NZ squad:

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (WK), Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Will Young

SL vs NZ Key Battles

Zakary Foulkes vs Pathum Nissanka:

Pathum Nissanka is coming into this game on the back of a fine fifty in the second T20I. The Sri Lanka opener will be looking to give his team another good start. The onus will be on Zakary Foulkes to stop Nissanka. Foulkes picked up 3 wickets in the first T20I before taking another one in the second.

Maheesh Theekshana vs Will Young:

Will Young has looked really solid against spinners in recent times. He was the third-highest run-scorer during the three-match Test series in India. Young will be looking to counter the Sri Lankan spinners, especially Maheesh Theekshana and give his team a good start.

Mitchell Santner vs Kusal Mendis:

Kusal Mendis has the ability to blow away any team on his day. He can take the game away from New Zealand as well and the onus will be on their captain Mitchell Santner to keep the Sri Lanka star in check.

SL vs NZ Key Players

SL: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Asitha Fernando, and Dunith Wellalage will be some of the key players for Sri Lanka.

NZ: Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, and Zak Foulkes will be the key players for New Zealand.

SL vs NZ Weather And Pitch Report

The first SL vs NZ ODI will be taking place in Dambulla on Wednesday. According to AccuWeather, there will be occasional rain and a thunderstorm in the evening. Otherwise, the conditions will be partly cloudy. The overcast condition is likely to assist the pacers and New Zealand will be hoping to make the most of it.

As far as the pitch is concerned, one can expect another low-scoring game. Anything above 250 could be a good total on this surface.

Also Read: Nathan Lyon reveals how sandpaper gate scandal stole his 300th Test-wicket milestone ball forever

Conclusion

With a forecast of rain, the upcoming SL vs NZ game could be interrupted by rain. In such a case, the DLS method could come into play. The fans will be hoping that rain stays away and they witness another thrilling game between the two teams.