New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Predictions: New Zealand are going into the game as favourites

New Zealand will welcome Sri Lanka in the first game of the three-game ODI series held at Eden Park, Auckland. Sri Lanka is going into the series with the motivation of getting direct entry to the 50-over World Cup which will be played this year. The black caps are favourites but Sri Lanka has shown their mantle on this tour. Who will win?

The black caps are going into the game on the back of five back-to-back wins in the ODIs. Nine of the first team members of New Zealand will not be playing in this game and in the series as they have travelled for IPL. The squad is young and ready to make a name for themselves in the upcoming ODI world cup. Captain Tom Latham will be looking to improve his form against a weaker Sri Lankan side. He has not scored runs from the start of the year. Will Young and Finn Allen will be opening the batting and a lot will be expected from them to give a good start to the game. The bowling looks balanced and the Kiwis will be looking to start the series on a positive note. 

Finn Allen, Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c), Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner/Ben Lister, Henry Shipley, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi

Sri Lanka is coming into this series with the hopes of direct qualification into the World cup. They will not be getting a better chance as most of the New Zealand senior members are not playing this series. However, their past record does not give them a lot of hope. The Sri Lankans have won only one of their last five games. Wanindu Hasaranga will again be the go-to bowler for captain Shanaka when looking for wickets. The Sri Lankan batting order is deep and they will have to put the woes of test series defeat behind them and get the job done. 

Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana

The series means different things to the two teams involved. The Auckland pitch has offered great assistance to the batters in the white ball cricket format. There will be little help for the bowlers initially that they can take advantage of. Win the toss to bowl will be the way ahead for the two captains. Expect a huge score on this venue and New Zealand are the favourites to win the game.