As the new year sets in, New Zealand will face Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series starting on January 3, 2019, in Mount Maunganui. The first ODI will be played at the Bay Oval and is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM NZDT, 6:30 AM SLST, 1:00 AM GMT.
New Zealand won the two-match Test series 1-0 before this, after beating Sri Lanka in the Boxing Day Test at Christchurch by 423 runs.
Sky Sports and Hotstar streaming details
Sky Sports NZ will telecast the ODI series live in New Zealand. Sky Sports website and app in New Zealand will provide online coverage including highlights and live streaming.
Channel Eye will televise the matches in Sri Lanka. Hotstar will stream the games of the NZ v SL series for the premium users in the Indian subcontinent. Star Sports Select 1 will broadcast the match in India.
Read: NZ v SL 2nd Test 2018 online on Hotstar and Sky Sports at 3 AM IST
Read: Sri Lankavs New Zealand 1st Test live streaming on Sky Sports and Hotstar at 3 AM
Guptill, Neesham return to the ODI squad
Tim Seifert is due to make his ODI debut for the Kiwis in the absence of the regular wicketkeeper Tom Latham who has been rested along with Colin de Grandhomme. James Neesham and Martin Guptill will return to the ODI set-up after missing the previous series against Pakistan. Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry could be seen as the other pacers supporting Trent Boult.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, Ish Sodhi will be the only spinner in the XI.
With Lasith Malinga taking charge of the captaincy, it is uncertain whether Dinesh Chandimal will make it into the XI or not. According to the Cricbuzz report, Niroshan Dickwella will be opening with Danushka Gunathilaka. Experienced batsman and former skipper, Angelo Matthews has been ruled out of this series with an injury.
Seekkuge Prasanna has returned to the national side after some time.
The weather forecast in Mount Maunganui predicts clear skies with no concern about the rain. The temperature will come as the evening sets in making not so difficult for the players on the field. The batting won't be too difficult on this pitch with bowlers having minimal margin for error.
If both teams bat sensibly, we might witness a high-scoring game.
Also read: India will clash with Australia in the 4th and final Test at Sydney. Follow the Test live at Sony Ten 3 and Fox Sports live cricket streaming India v Australia 4th Test at 5 PM IST
