SL vs NZ Dream11 Prediction: The two-match series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand is set to start on Tuesday. The first Test match is scheduled for a 10:00 AM (IST) start on Tuesday, September 18, 2024 and will be played at Galle International Stadium.
The next few months will decide the fate of the teams looking to make a mark in the current ICC Test Championship cycle. New Zealand are currently placed third on the table with only India (1st) and Australia ahead of them. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are down at fifth but a series sweep of the Kiwis can push them right on the heels of India and Australia.
So this series holds the key for both these teams, especially for New Zealand, who will head to India to play a three-match Test series against Rohit Sharma’s team. So a solid showing in this series can set the right tempo for the Kiwis for the big showdown against Team India.
Form:
Sri Lanka: W L L W W
New Zealand: D L L W W
SL vs NZ Pitch & Weather Report
Pitch Report: Most pitches in Sri Lanka tend to be slow, offering ample support to spinners. Since this is a five-day game, the pitch is likely to deteriorate as the match progresses, making spinners even more dangerous. Batting in the fourth innings will be especially challenging, which is why the captain winning the toss might prefer to bowl first to avoid batting on the final day, if the match goes that far.
Weather Report: Most likely, this game is likely to be affected by rain. There’s 70% chance of rain in Galle on Wednesday, Thursday might be a clear day, but the forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday is not good with rain expected. Here’s the full weather forecast for the five days:
Day | Temperature | Rain (%) | Humidity |
Wednesday | 29°C | 70% | 82% |
Thursday | 30°C | 20% | 81% |
Friday | 29°C | 60% | 82% |
Saturday | 30°C | 70% | 84% |
Sunday | 29°C | 80% | 82% |
SL vs NZ Head To Head Record
Sri Lanka and New Zealand have played a total of 38 test matches against each other. In those 38 games, New Zealand won a remarkable 18 games while Sri Lanka could manage to win just 8 matches.
Matches played | 38 |
Sri Lanka Wins | 09 |
New Zealand Wins | 18 |
No Result | 11 |
SL vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Injury and availability News
Sri Lanka
- Oshada Fernando has made a return to Sri Lanka’s test team, while Nishan Madushka failed to make the cut.
- Sri Lanka’s playing XI is likely to be more or less the same which featured in the 3rd test match against England.
New Zealand
- Tim Southee is the captain of New Zealand team and so he is a certain guarantee. That leaves Matt Henry, Ben Sears and Will O’Rourke fighting for the spot in NZ’s Playing XI.
- Ajaz Patel will certainly feature as a spinner alongside Mitchell Santner.
TOP Picks For SL vs NZ Dream 11 Match
Captain Options:
- Pathum Nissanka: In the third test match against England, Pathum Nissanka played the match like a possessed man. After scoring 64 runs in the first innings, he scored an unbeaten 127 runs in the 2nd innings.
- Kane Williamson: New Zealand’s superstar batter is a generational player. He is one of the best ever from New Zealand and possess the skill-set to play in all conditions.
- Mitchell Santner: On slow pitches in Sri Lanka, Mitchell Santner can play a big role for his team. His batting skills are also handy for his team.
- Dhananjaya de Silva: Sri Lanka’s captain also played a huge role in his side’s big win over England. He scored a half century and picked up two wickets as well.
Vice-Captain Options:
- Lahiru Kumara: Picked up six wickets in the third test match, including the four wickets in the 2nd innings. He likes to take the fight to the opponent.
- Rachin Ravindra: New Zealand’s young all-rounder will be key for his team, as he will be tasked with bowling in the match. However, it’s his primary skill, batting, that could define the game for his team.
- Angelo Mathews: Sri Lanka’s veteran all-rounder is a player who can still make a big contribution both as a bowler and as a batter.
- Ajaz Patel: His 10-wicket haul in one innings against Team India is a part of cricket folklore. He is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
SL vs NZ Predicted Lineups
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Kusal Mendis (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara
New Zealand Playing XI: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (C), Matt Henry/Ben Sears/Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel.
Full Squad:
Sri Lanka test squad: Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Oshada Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake, Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis.
New Zealand test squad: Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (vc), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
SL vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Teams
SL vs NZ Dream 11 Prediction Team 1
- Wicketkeepers: D Chandimal, D Conway
- Batsmen: K Williamson (VC), P Nissanka (C)
- All-rounders: D de Silva, M Santner, R Ravindra, K Mendis
- Bowlers: A Patel, A Fernando, L Kumara
SL vs NZ Dream 11 Prediction Team 2
- Wicketkeepers: D Conway
- Batsmen: K Williamson, P Nissanka
- All-rounders: D de Silva, M Santner (VC), R Ravindra (C), K Mendis
- Bowlers: A Patel, M Rathnayake, T Southee, V Fernando