NZ vs SL Dream11 Grand League Prediction, 1st ODI Preview, Team News & Playing 11

NZ vs SL Dream11 Grand League Prediction

Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2018 | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI | NZ vs SL Who Will Win

The Big Picture

After a 2-match Test series that New Zealand won by 1-0, the focus of both sides shifts to the ODI format of the game with both teams looking to try out new combinations ahead of the 50-over World Cup in May.

New Zealand Coach Gary Stead described the ODI series against the touring Lankans as being “about tweaking, looking at the style of play and looking at options who fit those roles as well. It’s definitely a trial period still”. Both sides have made a plethora of changes from their Test squad, with the Lankans bringing in six new faces including veteran seamer Lasith Malinga, while the BlackCaps have brought back fit-again Martin Guptill and are resting regulars Tom Latham and Colin de Granddhomme.

With de Granddhomme and Corey Anderson injured, New Zealand has roped in James Neesham and Doug Bracewell, who are rewarded for their consistent performances in the Ford Trophy while keeper-batsman Tim Siefert has the chance to impress in the absence of regular gloveman, Tom Latham. Both sides did not have a particularly good year in ODI cricket in the year gone by, but it is Sri Lanka, who are in need of an urgent revival and after enduring horrendous 24 months.

They will miss the services of ace spinner Akila Dhananjaya, who has been suspended for throwing but have bolstered their line-up with the addition of Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Seekkuge Prasanna, and Dasun Shanaka.

Lasith Malinga will lead the ODI outfit after missing out on a major chunk of International cricket due to fitness issues in the last 18 months.

Match Details

Venue:- Bay Oval, Tauranga

Match Timing:- Thursday, January 03, 2018, 06:30 AM IST

NZ vs SL Form Guide

New Zealand:- LWLWL

Sri Lanka:- WLLLL

NZ vs SL Head-to-Head [Last 11 ODIS in New Zealand]

Won by NZ- 8

Won by SL-3

NZ vs SL Team News

• New Zealand’s coach hinted at using the series to try out new options as part of a bigger picture ahead of the 2019 World Cup, which means Tim Siefert is likely to make his debut tomorrow.

NZ vs SL Playing 11 [Probable]

Here’s how both sides’ might line-up for tomorrow’s game:-

New Zealand

Batsmen:- Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicolls

Wicket-Keeper- Tim Siefert

All-rounder- Jimmy Neesham, Colin Munro [D:-Doug Bracwell]

Bowlers- Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry/Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi

Sri Lanka

Batsmen:- Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka

Wicket-Keeper- Niroshan Dickwella

All-rounder- Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva

Bowlers- Lasith Malinga, Lakshan Sandakan, Dushmantha Chameera/Seekuge Prasanna

NZ vs SL Dream11 Grand League Team

Team 01

Punting on Fast bowlers

The average first innings score at Mount Maunganui is 247 while the teams batting first have won three of the five matches played at the venue. Matt Henry claimed 5-40 the last time he played at the venue against Sri Lanka back in 2016, the same match where Trent Boult claimed three. In fact, eight of the ten best bowling figures at the venue have been claimed by the seamers. Thus, picking a fast bowler and making them as captain/vice-captain of your Grand League team can help you reap great rewards.

Team 02

Pick More All-rounders

Both sides have got quality all-rounders in their line-up who can sway the momentum of the game in their favor with both bat and ball. The likes of Neesham, who had a stellar Ford Trophy campaign or Thisara Perera are prudent picks to be the captain/vice-captain of your Grand League team.

Team 03

Banking on the Unknowns

We often bank on the superstar names to reap us great rewards in our Dream11 team. But, generally, it is the unknown cricketers who go on to define the narrative of the game. The likes of Tim Siefert, Kusal Perera, James Neesham, Nicolls or Gunaratne can be valuable bets for your Grand League team.

Team 04

Punt on the underdog

In a white-ball game, it is often the side, irrespective of reputation, that plays well on a given day comes out trumps. Sri Lanka has been in disastrous form in the past two years in ODI cricket and against the Kiwis, they have won just three of the eleven matches since 2015. Hence, picking more players from Sri Lanka and backing the underdogs could be a safe bet for your Grand League team.