SL vs NZ 2024/25, SL vs NZ 1st ODI Match Report, 13 Nov 2024

On By Littum

Throw Sri Lanka chose to bat vs New Zealand

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to bat in the first ODI against New Zealand in Dambulla, saying he expected the surface to deteriorate for batting as the match progressed. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said he did not mind bowling first, with the possibility of rain and a wet outfield later, which could prevent bowlers from working in the evening.
New Zealand have three debutants in their XI. Opener Tim Robinson and wicketkeeper batsman Mitchell Hay will get their ODI caps after playing T20Is this weekend. For Nathan Smith, the 26-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder, it is his first international in any format.
Adam Milne, who has replaced the injured Lockie Ferguson in the squad, had only arrived in the country on Tuesday evening and was not available for selection. Jacob Duffy will be the other front-line seamer, with Ish Sodhi, Santner, Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips offering the spin options on a pitch expected to take a turn.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have brought back left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka. They have also been hit by an injury, with Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out. Jeffrey Vandersay replaced him in the XI. There are plenty of bowling options in the top seven, with Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage all capable of a few overs.

Sri Lanka: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Janith Liyanage, 8 Maheesh Theekshana, 9 Jeffrey Vandersay, 10 Dilshan Madushana, Fernando

New Zealand: 1 Tim Robinson, 2 Will Young, 3 Henry Nicholls, 4 Mark Chapman, 5 Glenn Phillips, 6 Mitchell Hay (wk), 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Nathan Smith, 10 Ish Sodhi, 11 Jacob Duffy