SL vs NZ 2024/25, SL vs NZ 2nd ODI Match Report, 17th November 2024

On By Littum

Throw Sri Lanka opt to bowl vs New Zealand

Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bowl first in the 2nd ODI at Pallekele. Sri Lanka currently lead the three-match series 1-0.

Charith Asalanka said the high possibility of dew in the evening played a part in the decision to chase, while Mitchell Santner said New Zealand were undecided about whether they would have bowled first but were happy to take the first off a good batting pitch.
In terms of team news, New Zealand named an unchanged XI, although Santner hinted that Adam Milne might get a game next. The hosts brought in spin-bowling all-rounder Dunith Wellalage for seamer Dilshan Madushanka. That means both sides will go with just the lone frontline seam option – Asitha Fernando for Sri Lanka and Jacob Duffy for New Zealand – an indicator of the spin-friendly nature of the surface.

It’s a hot and humid afternoon to start, but there is a risk of some rain in the evening, although that is unlikely to prevent a result. Sri Lanka have won seven of their last eight ODIs in Pallekele, with the last four matches won by the chasing side.

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 Dunith Wellalage 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Jeffrey Asitha Fernando, 101 Jeffrey Vandersay , 1.

New Zealand: 1 Tim Robinson, 2 Will Young, 3 Hentry 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 .