The home team, who have won the ODI series against the visitors after 12 years, will rest 4 key players whose services for the upcoming Test series against South Africa is an important part taking into consideration the WTC finals scheduled to be played at Lords in the summer of 2025.
Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis. Pathum Nissanka and Asitha Fernando are given a well-deserved rest as they now take their mindset off white ball Cricket and switch their focus on the more challenging red ball format to be played against the Protease in their back yard.
The above results are an opportunity for Nuwindu Fernando. Lahiru Udara and Eshan Malinga to show cause their talent to belong to the big stage if selected to play today.
Nuwindu Fernando has the potential to bat at number 3 whilst Lahiru Udara can even open the batting or bat up the order , with Eshan Malinga given an opportunity to use the New ball.
Isuru Udara is a good glove man as well , hence, it will be interesting to see if the selectors will use him or Sadeera Samarawickrema to pursue the duties behind the stumps.
The batting order for Sri Lanka in the dead rubber will be an interesting consideration for the think tank to work out.
Nishan Madushka and Avishka Fernando are tipped to open, and Nuwindu Fernando might be thrown into the deep end to bat at number 3. My views pardon me for starting it might not be gospel , but only a possibility.
This game will give an opportunity for Sadeera Samarawickrema and Janith Liyanage to spend more time at the wickets and show cause whilst also justifying to the selectors that they belong to the park and not the bench.
Big question : Will the selectors think of resting Jeffrey Vandersay and throw Dushan Hemantha to show cause his ability with his leg spin prowess, which he displayed in the recently concluded Asian tournament the “A” team multi series in the UAE.
New Zealand, from our viewpoint, must leave the shores of Sri Lanka with a win. They have already rested a few senior players. We expect Mitch Santner not to take the given scenario for granted but go out with his talented outfit and get his batting unit to build partnerships and learn more of subcontinent conditions, which is more than a learning curve based on the fact that plenty of multiple tournaments are scheduled in these conditions in the next few years.