Though New Zealand have won the series already, they will be under pressure in the third and final T20I against Sri Lanka at Pallekele as they are struggling to find fit players for the game. Martin Guptill and Tom Bruce have already been ruled out of the third T20I, and with Ross Taylor and Lockie Ferguson too struggling with fitness issues, the Kiwis had only 10 fit players in the squad. However, Taylor has now recovered, with Hamish Rutherford being called in as a replacement.
Sri Lanka too have injury concerns of their own, with Shehan Jayasuriya and Kusal Mendis suffering injuries after a nasty collision in the last game. They are likely to play, though.
Weather Conditions: Rain is expected on match day, with thunder showers predicted in the evening. The temperature will hover around the 30-degree mark, and we can be in for a curtailed game.
Pitch Conditions: The pitch at Pallekele is full of runs, and a flat track is expected once again. The batter from both sides will be itching to have a go here, and the team that wins the toss would want to chase.
Sri Lanka:
Though Shehan Jayasuriya and Kusal Mendis were injured in the second game, they are likely to be fit for this encounter. However, even if fit, the former could be replaced by Danushka Ganathilaka.
Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Wanindu Hasaranga,
Though New Zealand have won the series already, they will be under pressure in the third and final T20I against Sri Lanka at Pallekele as they are struggling to find fit players for the game. Martin Guptill and Tom Bruce have already been ruled out of the third T20I, and with Ross Taylor and Lockie Ferguson too struggling with fitness issues, the Kiwis had only 10 fit players in the squad. However, Taylor has now recovered, with Hamish Rutherford being called in as a replacement.
Sri Lanka too have injury concerns of their own, with Shehan Jayasuriya and Kusal Mendis suffering injuries after a nasty collision in the last game. They are likely to play, though.
Weather Conditions: Rain is expected on match day, with thunder showers predicted in the evening. The temperature will hover around the 30-degree mark, and we can be in for a curtailed game.
Pitch Conditions: The pitch at Pallekele is full of runs, and a flat track is expected once again. The batter from both sides will be itching to have a go here, and the team that wins the toss would want to chase.
Sri Lanka:
Though Shehan Jayasuriya and Kusal Mendis were injured in the second game, they are likely to be fit for this encounter. However, even if fit, the former could be replaced by Danushka Ganathilaka.
Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga (c), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Madushanka
New Zealand:
With Bruce and Guptill out of the third game, Hamish Rutherford will come into the team, with Colin Munro and Tim Seifert likely to open the innings. Ish Sodhi can be dropped after being expensive in the last game with Todd Astle coming in place.
Hamish Rutherford, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Seth Rance, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee (c), Todd Astle
Top picks:
Wicket-keeper: Kusal Perera (9.5 credits)
Perera has had a couple of failures, and is due for a big score at the top of the order. He averages close to 30 in the format, but more importantly, strikes the ball at over 137, which shows that he is a dangerous player who can be a game changer.
Batsman: Colin Munro (10 credits)
Three hundreds in T20Is, go on to highlight the impact that Munro can have on his day. In the absence of Martin Guptill, Munro will have to take on the responsibility of leading his team to a good score. With a strike rate of 162, Munro is one of the most dangerous batters around, and he can be a player to watch out for.
All-rounder: Colin de Grandhomme (9 credits)
The all-rounder made 44 from 28 balls in the first game, and stitched together a match-winning partnership with Ross Taylor, before he scored 59 in the second T20I. Of late, de Grandhomme has been economical with the ball as well, which makes him a match-winner in both departments.
Bowler: Lasith Malinga (9.5 credits)
Lasith Malinga went wicketless in the last game, but he had scalped two in the first T20I, which allowed him to overhaul Shahid Afridi's wicket tally of 98 T20I wickets. He is just one wicket away from becoming the only bowler to get 100 wickets in the format, and he will be eager to achieve the feat.
Captain: Colin Munro, Colin de Grandhomme
Dream11 Team:
