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The second T20I of the Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2024, promises another thrilling encounter as both teams lock horns at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on Monday, 26th December 2024, at 7:00 PM (local time).
New Zealand clinched the opening game by eight runs, thanks to Jacob Duffy’s brilliant triple-strike that turned the game on its head. Sri Lanka, despite being dominant for most of the match, fell short in their chase of 173.
The big question now is whether Sri Lanka can bounce back and level the series or if New Zealand will maintain their momentum and secure the series with a game to spare.
Match Details
| Fixture | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Date | December 26, 2024 |
| Time | 7:00 PM (local time) |
| Venue | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
Teams Preview
New Zealand Preview
New Zealand will aim to build on their winning momentum, although they recognize areas for improvement. The top order, featuring Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, and Mark Chapman, failed to capitalize in the first T20I, and the middle order was left to rebuild.
Daryl Mitchell (62 off 42) and Michael Bracewell (59 off 33) played crucial roles in setting a competitive target. With the ball, Jacob Duffy was the star, delivering figures of 3/21, ably supported by Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner.
The Black Caps will aim for a more balanced performance, especially from their top-order batters. The team’s depth in bowling remains its strength, capable of troubling Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Tim Robinson | Batter |
| Rachin Ravindra | Batter |
| Mark Chapman | Batter |
| Glenn Phillips | Batter |
| Daryl Mitchell | All-rounder |
| Mitchell Hay | Batter |
| Michael Bracewell | All-rounder |
| Mitchell Santner (c) | All-rounder |
| Zakary Foulkes | Bowler |
| Matt Henry | Bowler |
| Jacob Duffy | Bowler |
Sri Lanka Preview
Sri Lanka’s performance in the opening game showed flashes of brilliance, particularly from opener Pathum Nissanka, who anchored the chase with a brilliant 90 off 60 balls. However, the lack of contributions from the middle and lower order proved costly.
Kusal Mendis (46 off 36) gave the team a solid platform, but the rest of the batting lineup faltered under pressure. The bowlers did well in patches, with Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Binura Fernando picking up two wickets each.
Sri Lanka will need a complete performance to bounce back and level the series. Consistency from the batters and disciplined bowling in the death overs will be crucial.
Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | Batter |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Kusal Perera | Batter |
| Kamindu Mendis | Batter |
| Charith Asalanka (c) | Batter |
| Bhanuka Rajapaksa | Batter |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | All-rounder |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Bowler |
| Binura Fernando | Bowler |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Bowler |
| Nuwan Thushara | Bowler |
Fantasy Team XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Captain | Pathum Nissanka |
| Vice-Captain | Jacob Duffy |
| Batsmen | Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Kusal Mendis |
| All-rounders | Michael Bracewell, Wanindu Hasaranga |
| Wicketkeeper | Kusal Mendis |
| Bowlers | Matt Henry, Maheesh Theekshana, Zakary Foulkes, Binura Fernando |
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report:
The Bay Oval pitch in Mount Maunganui provides good balance between bat and ball. While the pacers can extract bounce and carry, spinners might find some turn as the match progresses. A par score is likely around 180 runs.
Weather Conditions:
The weather is expected to be clear and pleasant with no rain interruptions. Temperatures will hover around 19°C during the match, making it ideal for cricket.
Toss: To Bowl
Both captains are likely to prefer chasing, as the dew factor could play a role in the second innings, making batting easier.
Winning Prediction
Sri Lanka’s near-perfect performance for most of the opening game shows their potential, but New Zealand’s depth and consistency give them an edge. If the Black Caps can address their top-order issues, they are likely to clinch the series in this match.
Prediction: New Zealand to win!
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