NZ vs SL 3rd T20I Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today’s 3rd T20I Match Between New Zealand and Sri Lanka?

New Zealand to face Sri Lanka in 3rd T20I on January 2 [Source: @BLACKCAPS/X.com]

New Zealand will lock horns with Sri Lanka for the 3rd T20I on January 2, 2025. The final contest of the bilateral series will take place at Saxton Oval in Nelson from 5.45 AM IST.

New Zealand

New Zealand clinched the series 2-0 after a 45-run victory in the 2nd T20I. Chapman and Mitchell Hay’s blazing knocks steered the Kiwis to a total of 186. In the chase, Sri Lanka succumbed to 141 and lost the series as well. Hence, heading into the final contest, the Kiwis will aim for a whitewash. With a home condition advantage and winning momentum, New Zealand will surely back themselves for the sweep.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s batting woes have been exposed duly in the series. In the second contest, they fell 45 runs short in a steep chase. However, the visitors came agonisingly close in the first T20I, chasing 173. But a middle-order collapse saw them fall short by eight runs despite a strong start from their openers. Now, ahead of the final T20I, the team faces the risk of getting whitewashed. Their white-ball form had been great prior to the series. However, they failed to adapt to overseas conditions, leading to a series loss.

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Saxton Oval Nelson Weather Report For New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I

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SL vs NZ: Head to head in T20Is

How will the Saxton Oval pitch behave?

The Saxton Oval in Nelson has hosted just two T20Is so far, and both games have been high-scoring affairs. With an average first-innings score of 184, the pitch promises plenty of runs for batters who can negotiate the initial swing of the new ball. The surface generally flattens out as the game progresses, making it ideal for free-flowing stroke play. However, early discipline with the bat is crucial, as the new ball is likely to offer movement for the pacers in the opening overs.

Players to watch out for in NZ vs SL 3rd T20I:

New Zealand

Mitchell Hay: Mitchell Hay is a reliable wicketkeeper-batter who provides stability in the lower order and ensures consistency behind the stumps. His contributions with the bat often prove to be the game-changer in crunch situations.

Mitchell Santner: The experienced all-rounder and captain is a vital cog in New Zealand’s setup. With nearly 120 T20I wickets and over 700 T20I runs, Santner’s sharp left-arm spin and calm leadership make him an invaluable asset. His ability to contain runs and pick key wickets adds depth to the team’s strategy.

Rachin Ravindra: The promising youngster, who had a stellar run in the 2024 season, is another key batter for New Zealand. His explosive batting style and ability to maximise the powerplay will be key for the Kiwis.

Jacob Duffy: New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy has been the standout bowler of the series so far. With an impressive haul of seven wickets in just two matches, he has consistently troubled the Sri Lankan batters. Hence, he will be a player to watch out for in the 3rd T20I.

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka: Pathum Nissanka: Pathum Nissanka has been a consistent performer for Sri Lanka. In his last T20I innings against New Zealand, he made a half-century that came at a very crucial time. With two centuries and a fifty in his last series, Nissanka continues to lead the run-scoring charts for his team and remains a pivotal figure in their batting lineup.

Matheesha Pathirana: The young speedster, Matheesha Pathirana, is a rising star in Sri Lanka cricket. In his last nine T20I matches, Pathirana has taken 17 wickets. His form and wicket-taking ability make him a player to watch out for.

Kusal Perara: Kusal Perara stood out in white-ball cricket in 2024. He has a flair to not only accelerate innings but also anchor the innings when his team needs it. Hence, Perara will be a key player for Sri Lanka in the 3rd T20I.

Nuwan Thushara: The late swing and deception variation is the thing that makes Nuwan Thushara a very tricky bowler, especially in death overs. Nuwan Thushara has picked crucial wickets for Sri Lanka in recent matches and gives an extra depth to their bowling.

Today’s Match Prediction: NZ vs SL 3rd T20I

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner, Mitchell Hay, Rachin Ravindra

Sri Lanka: Nuwan Thushara, Pathum Nissanka, Matheesha Pathirana

NZ vs SL 3rd T20I Predicted Score

Predicted First Innings Score: 170-180 runs

Predicted Second Innings Score: 150-160 runs

Predicted Result: Considering the conditions, the team batting first will likely have an edge in this match.

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