SL vs NZ Dream11 Team Prediction, Preview: 1st T20I

Sri Lanka and New Zealand will face off in the first T20I at Pallekele. We will provide SL vs NZ Dream11 Team Prediction, Preview and Probable Playing XI for the match.

After a hard-fought draw in Test series, New Zealand and Sri Lanka will collide in three-match T20I series and begin their preparations for the big show next year.

Veteran pacer Lasith Malinga will lead Sri Lanka and have enough firepower in their batting department mainly comprising Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella. Apart from them, they also have talented all-rounders Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana and Akila Dananjaya who can change the course of match single-handedly. They will hope to display a reliable performance in the opening encounter defeating well-balanced Kiwi team.

Team New Zealand have a strong squad with a suitable mix of batsmen, all-rounders, and bowlers. They have one of the most attacking opening duos of Guptill and Munro along with young talents such as Tim Siefert, Tom Bruce and Daryl Mitchell. Experience of Ross Taylor will also be very crucial for the side. They also have reliable pair of all-rounders Grandhomme and Santner to support the bowling department led by Southee, Ferguson and Ish Sodhi.

In practice match, Colin Munro and Ross Taylor were the star performers with the bat scoring 48* and 41* runs. In the bowling, Scott Kuggeleijn and Ish Sodhi took four and three wicket-hauls to ensure a comfortable victory for visitors. Kiwis will be eager to put a unison effort against Sri Lanka and get a 1-0 lead in the series.

When and Where:

SL vs NZ, 1st T20I, New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2019.Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele.
1st Sept 2019, 07:00 PM.

Venue Stats:

Average 1st innings score: 169
Average 2nd innings score: 147

Pitch is expected to favor batsmen.

There is a 50% chance of rain to hinder match progress.

Squads:

SL:
Lasith Malinga, Avishka Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Isuru Udana, Lahiru Madushanka, Dasun Shanaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Wanidu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dhananjaya.

NZ:
Tim Southee, Tom Bruce, Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Tim Seifert, Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell, Scott Kuggleijn, Lockie Ferguson, Seth Rance, Ish Sodhi.

Team News:

Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka has a problem of plenty in top-order, and Danushka Gunathilaka is unlikely to feature tomorrow.
Akila Dananjaya is again reported for a suspect action and may miss out in the playing XI giving a chance to spin all-rounder to Wanidu Hasaranga.
Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Perera can open the innings. Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya, and Dasun Shanaka will follow them.
Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka and Isuru Udana will play the role of an allrounder.
Lasith Malinga will spearhead the pace attack along with Kasun Rajitha, Shanaka, and Udana.
L Sandakan, Akila Dananjaya/Hasaranga and Shehan Jayasuriya will be the key spinners.

New Zealand:

Kane Williamson and Trent Boult are rested for the T20I series. Tim Southee will lead the team in their absence.
Anyone among Tom Bruce or Daryl Mitchell can play. Chances of Bruce are more.
Martin Guptill and Colin Munro will open the innings. Tim Seifert and Ross Taylor will handle the middle order WhileTom Bruce/D Mitchell, Colin de Grandhomme and M Santner will follow them.
Colin de Grandhomme and M Santner will play the role of an allrounder. Scott Kuggelejin and Tim Southee can also be handy with the bat.
Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson will spearhead the pace attack along with Kuggelejin and Grandhomme.
Ish Sodhi and M Santner will handle the spin department.

Probable Playing XI:

SL:
Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya/W Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga (c), Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan.

NZ:
Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert (wk), Ross Taylor, Tom Bruce/Daryl Mitchell, Colin de Grandhomme, M Santner, Scott Kuggelejin, Tim Southee (c), Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi.

Key Players:

Wicket-Keeper for SL vs NZ Dream11 Team:

Primary Options: Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella and Tim Siefert

Kusal Perera is in super attacking form from past one year but failed to make a mark in test series. He will be eager to score big tomorrow.

Niroshan Dickwella has been appointed as deputy to Malinga and is an attacking batsman. He has a high chance to open tomorrow.

Tim Siefert proved his talent in the last series and is a brilliant batsman. He is likely to bat in top order.

Batsmen for NZ vs SL Dream11 Team:

Primary Options: Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Avishka Fernando, Colin Munro, and Kusal Mendis

Ross Taylor has performed exceptionally well from past two years and is in good form. He also scored 41* runs in practice match and will bat in the middle order.

Martin Guptill has the talent to play a big knock but failed throughout WC’19. His form in T20 blast was excellent and will be eager to perform well in this series.

Avishka Fernando is an attacking batsman and has performed brilliantly in limited chances.

Colin Munro has a good record in this format and scored 48* runs in practice match. He can score at a blistering strike rate.

Kusal Mendis is a talented performer but is not an excellent T20I batsman. His recent form is also not very inspiring.

Other Options: Shehan Jayasuriya

Shehan Jayasuriya is a right spin all-rounder and can be equally effective in either of the departments.

All-rounders:

Primary Options: Colin De Grandhomme, Isuru Udana, Dasun Shanka

Colin De Grandhomme has performed well in recent times. He also starred in the second test and is a must pick in NZ vs SL Dream11 team.

Isuru Udana is a lethal pacer and can be quite effective in death overs with his variations. He can also score attacking cameos with the bat.

Dasun Shanaka is an attacking batsman and handy medium-pace bowler. He can be a good pick on your team.

Other Options: M Santner

Mitchell Santner can be useful in spin-friendly conditions with his turn and bounce. He can also be handy with the bat.

Bowlers for Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Dream11:

Primary Options: L Malinga, T Southee, Lockie Ferguson, and Ish Sodhi.

Skipper Lasith Malinga is defying age and is one of the best bowlers of this format. Considering his recent form, He is a must pick in NZ vs SL Dream11 team.

Kiwi Stand-in Skipper Tim Southee is in awful form recently. He will be eager to perform well in this series.

Lockie Ferguson can trouble batsmen with his sheer pace. He was in lethal form in WC’19 and will hope to take many scalps in this series.

Ish Sodhi can be a match-winner with his spin bowling. He took three wickets in practice match and brought a plethora of wickets in Canada T20 League.

Other Options: Scott Kuggeleijn

Scott Kuggeleijn is a handy pace allrounder. He took four-wicket haul in practice match.