Deadline: August 3, 2019 at 7 PM IST
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
Pitch report
Before the first T20I, teams had chased down targets successfully only 4 out of 16 times. New Zealand, however, rubbished the predictions and attained 175 runs with 3 balls remaining. The pitch was a featherbed. Expect nothing less on Tuesday evening. However, rain may play spoilsport again. Choose your fantasy team wisely.
Teams
Sri Lanka would like to squeeze in Danushka Gunathilaka somewhere in the line-up, but Malinga may give the same XI another chance to make amends.
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera (wk), Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Shehan Jayasuriya, Akila Dananjaya, Wanidu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga, Kasun Rajitha
Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the series due to a fractured thumb, thus reducing their squad to only 13 players. They have no option but to play the same winning combination.
Probable XI for New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Seth Rance, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely.
Fantasy team
We have opted for a fantasy team on the basis of players’ impact, recent performances, and credit points.
You can also check players’ performances in the last 5 matches. Tap on the players’ names to get the data while making your fantasy team.
My 11: Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (vc), Colin de Grandhomme (c), Daryl Mitchell, Isuru Udana, Tim Southee, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Malinga
Match prediction
Despite two Sri Lankan bowlers conceding below 6 RPO, New Zealand managed to register an easy win. Malinga and Hasranga gave away a mere 44 runs and took 4 wickets between them. New Zealand let these two dominate and launched an onslaught from other end. The victims were Udana and Rajitha who leaked 82 runs off 46 balls.
New Zealand bowlers too had a similar story. While Southee and Santner kept a leash on things, the bowlers from other end let the batsmen off the hook.
If there is any positive sign for the bowlers, it is the sharp turn that we witnessed on Sunday. Malinga and Southee might as well open the bowling with spinners. In all, the match prediction isn’t easy to make for the contest. Whoever puts a lid on the runs will stay ahead in the race.
Players to watch out for
Although Udana was expensive with the ball, it was his 3-ball 15* in the last over that pushed Sri Lanka beyond 170. He has blasted 147 runs with a strike rate of 184 this year, and more importantly he has been dismissed only once in 4 innings.
Kusal Mendis made full use of his promotion in the batting line-up, smashing 79 off 53. He will be a key batsman in Sri Lanka’s buildup for the next World T20.
With no Kane Williamson in the squad, Colin de Grandhomme got to bat at 4 and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. His 77-run stand with Ross Taylor laid the foundation for New Zealan’s victory.
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket.
