NZ vs SL Match Prediction & Betting Tips - Apr 05, 2023
In Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand, it’s undoubtedly been a great success for the home team, as NZ swept the Test series 3-0 and won the ODI series 2-0 (with one match abandoned), but things have changed now in the T20 series.
Thanks largely to Asalanka’s 67 and Perera’s 53, Sri Lanka managed to defeat New Zealand in the first of three T20 matches, although it didn’t come easy. The game was tied at 196 runs at the end of regulation, but Sri Lanka really got into their stride in the Super Over and scored 12 runs compared to NZ’s 8.
The second T20 game will be played on April 5th at the University Oval, Dunedin. Keep watch on all the betting sites for the best deals.
NZ vs SL Team Previews
New Zealand
New Zealand will certainly be wondering what happened to their opening batters, as Bowes (2) and Seifert (0) didn’t help the home team get off to a strong start. However, the ship was steadied thanks to Daryl Mitchell (66), who has been excellent in Test and ODI series as well. He’s going to be the most dangerous batter in this T20 series for NZ.
You’d have to think that Chapman (33 runs) and Latham (27 runs) will be better, but we’ve been a bit disappointed by captain Latham recently. He scored just 13 runs combined in the ODI series, and for a batter at the No. 3 spot, he’s got to play better if NZ doesn’t want to rely solely on Mitchell.
There were several surprises for NZ’s bowling attack, as we thought Henry Shipley would be far more damaging. He was the leading wicket-taker in the ODI series with eight, but his 1/43 effort in the first T20 match was a big shame. Worse was Ish Sodhi, who had picked up 10 wickets in his last 10 T20I matches, but the spinner was knocked all over the ground for 0/33.
New Zealand Playing 11
Chad Bowes, Tim Seifert, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Benjamin Lister.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka will have to hope that Asalanka continues this scintillating form, as they just don’t have the firepower to defeat NZ unless there’s at least one reliable batter. Asalanka was fairly unspectacular in the two ODI games by scoring only 18 runs combined, but his 67 from 41 deliveries (including 2 fours and 6 sixes) really came out of nowhere in the first T20 game!
Asalanka needed help, and he got it from Perera’s 53 runs, which is his 13th half-century in T20I cricket. Perera hasn’t played in the national side for over a year and he certainly made a statement return! He’s batted well enough in the NSL, but this is what we want to see from his performance at the crease.
We want to see improved batting from Mendis, as he did okay with 25 runs, but he’s averaged 36.33 and scored 327 runs in his last T20I matches, so he’s capable of so much more.
We expected Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva and Maheesh Theekshana to shine as the best bowlers for Sri Lanka, and this was certainly the case in the first T20 match against New Zealand. Hasaranga was excellent taking 2/30 (ER: 7.50) and Theekshana may have had just one wicket, but gave up 22 runs (ER: 5.50) and really helped reduce NZ’s total.
Sri Lanka Playing 11
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanidu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka.
NZ vs SL Toss Prediction
With such a pitch, we’d have to imagine the team winning the toss to bowl first and get the most out of the conditions.
Read our guide on toss predictions to learn how we analyze and come up with our tips.
Pitch and Conditions
The University Oval is one of the smaller venues in New Zealand, and the boundaries are slightly shorter than the average ground. While several domestic T20 games have been played here, there’s not a lot of history for international games as only one has occurred in the past.
The pitch seems to favour pace bowlers due to the favourable bounce and speed, so spinners might not be so successful here. It’s usually not a high-scoring ground, so scores of around 200 are likely. Unfortunately, some rain is predicted for the game day with temperatures around 20°C.
NZ vs SL Betting Tips
We have to say that the Sri Lanka odds are good for a win against NZ, and judging from their performance in the first T20, they are capable of another win against the home team.
Sri Lanka didn’t play especially well in the Test or ODI series, but with a fresh start and one win in the T20 series, their confidence will be sky high and we think they have the talent and belief to pull off another victory.
If Sri Lanka can get three reliable batting efforts from Asalanka, Perera, and especially Mendis, with also continued solid bowling from Hasaranga and Theekshana, then it’s definitely possible to earn another win against NZ.
Bet on Sri Lanka to win.
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As we’ve already seen Asalanka and Mitchell score in the high 60s, we think it’s totally possible that someone on either squad will score above 67 runs. All players are in good form after playing the Test and ODI series, plus, the ground is a bit smaller than normal so there’s potential for a lot of boundaries.
The odds for Sri Lanka to have the best batter are very generous and worth a try, especially with Asalanka and Perera performing so well in the last match. We probably trust Asalanka slightly more due to his 67 runs, even if his ODI games weren’t so great. If Sri Lanka can remove NZ’s Mitchell for a poor total, then there’s a good chance for the visitors.
As Shipley is a fast bowler, he could have a bigger impact than the spinners like Hasaranga and Theekshana. Shipley was great in the ODI series with eight wickets and he’s due for a good performance in this T20 match. His pace and familiarity with the ground will help.
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Player To Score Most Fours: Asalanka
11
Although he only scored 2 fours in the first T20 game, we think Asalanka can improve on this and pick up even more. The odds are very enticing and it’s worth a try for this batter in good form. Other batters did get more boundaries, but Asalanka also scored six sixes, so he’s capable of big shots.
Who will win NZ vs SL
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Match Predictions
Cricket Betting Tips
- Highest opening partnership - India W (1.55) and 1 more BANW vs INDW betting tip
- Total runs in the highest scoring over of the match - Over 22.5 (1.95) and 2 more MI vs SRH betting tips
- Nazmul Hossain Shanto to become the top batter. - 4.10 and 3 more BAN vs ZIM betting tips
- Delhi Capitals to win the toss - 1.90 and 4 more DC vs RR betting tips
We are eager to know what you think of our match predictions, if there is anything we can do better or if you want to let us know your own predictions for the match.