NZ vs SL Today Match Prediction for New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st Test

New Zealand is all set to host Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series. The first game will be played at Christchurch on 9th March followed by second game to played in Wellington on 17th March. The series holds extreme importance for Sri Lanka as they need to win both the games to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship. Whereas New Zealand would want to better the things after a dismal outing against England.

NZ vs SL Match Details

Fixture Name: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test
Competition: Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023
Date: 9th March 2023
Time: 3:30 AM IST
Ground: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

NZ vs SL Pitch Report

The pitch in Christchurch is probably the best for the Test among all the other venues of the country. The traditionally is know for his pace and it remains same throughout the game and therefore it is expected that it’ll be a four-day or five-day finish. The spicy nature of the pitch has kept both batters as well as bowlers in the game. The venue has hosted 12 games so far and average first innings score at this venue is 286. Out of the 12 games, 4 matches has been won by teams batting first whereas 7 have went in favour of teams bowling first.

RECENT FORM

New Zealand– L D D L W

Sri Lanka – NR W W W W

NZ vs SL Probable Playing XIs

New Zealand:

Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (c), Matt Henry, Neil Wagner

Sri Lanka:

Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Prabath Jayasuriya

NZ vs SL Probable Top Performers

Probable Best Batter

Kane Williamson– Stats in Tests

Kane Williamson is likely to be the best batter in the first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. He scored a staggering century in the last game he played against England and became the leading run-getter for his side in the Tests. The right-hander probably has been one of the best batters going in the World cricket and with flat decks expected, it is likely that he will shine in the first game. His stats are amazing as well as he has 7787 runs in 92 games.

Matches	Runs	Average	100s/50s	H/S
92	7787	53.34	26/33	251

Probable Best Bowler

Tim Southee– Stats in Tests

New Zealand skipper Tim Southee is expected to be the best bowler in the first Test against Sri Lanka. The pacer has been in the fine form and has been exceptionally well with the new ball. He often has troubled Sri Lankan batters and is expected to shine. His stats are staggering as well as he has scored 359 wickets in just 92 games.

Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy	5W	Best
92	359	29.34	3.0	14	7/64

NZ vs SL Prediction- Who Will Win Today’s Match Between New Zealand and Sri Lanka

New Zealand has three victories against Sri Lanka in the last 5 games.
Sri Lanka needs to win both the games to qualify for the final of the WTC whereas New Zealand are out of the race.
New Zealand drew the series against England recently.
Overall in 36 games, New Zealand has won 16 games whereas Sri Lanka has 9 wins.
According to the NZ vs SL today match prediction, NZ is the favourites to win this match.