New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Prediction

SL Team News

Sri Lanka may be tempted to make a few changes to their line-up following defeats in the first two games. The visitors could bring all-rounder Dasun Shanaka in place of a misfiring Asela Gunaratne who has scored just 17 runs in the series. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera too is expected to be given a game and Seekkuge Prasanna seems the most likely candidate to make way for him in the playing eleven.

SL Key Players

Danushka Gunathilaka holds the key to Sri Lanka's batting. The opener has scored 43 and 71 in the respective matches of the series and he even has a half-century in his only ODI innings at this ground. His partner Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Perera who hit 76 and 102 respectively in the first match will also be expected to make significant contributions at the top of the order. Thisara Perera was on fire last time with his whirlwind knock of 140 off just 74 balls and the all-rounder will gain huge confidence from that performance. Dushmantha Chameera is likely to play this game. The fast bowler has three ODI wickets at this ground and his job will be to complement Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Pradeep with the ball. Malinga has looked the most impressive of the seamers while Lakshan Sandakan, who has been pretty economical, will be the biggest threat amongst the spinners.

SL Recent Form

Saturday's 21-run loss at Mount Maunganui was Sri Lanka's seventh defeat in their last eight completed one-day internationals. They last tasted success in this format in October last year when they recorded a massive 219-run victory over England at Colombo. The visitors will be extremely disappointed with their middle-order batting in the last game as they lost five wickets in the space of five overs. Even more worrying is their bowling attack that has looked toothless so far in this series.