Report Sri Lanka bring in Avishka Fernando for Bhanuka Rajapaksa and bowl New Zealand have named an unchanged XI as they look to seal the series Madushka Balasuriya 30-Dec-2024 • 21 mins ago Avishka Fernando came into the side replacing Bhanuka Rajapaksa • AFP/Getty Images {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ImageObject","contentUrl":"https://img1.hscicdn.
com/image/upload/f_auto/lsci/db/PICTURES/CMS/390900/390902.4.jpg","caption":"Avishka Fernando came into the side replacing Bhanuka Rajapaksa"} Toss Sri Lanka chose to bowl vs New Zealand Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to bowl for a second game in a row, as they seek a crucial win at Mount Maunganui to stay alive in the three-match T20I series.
New Zealand had won the first game on Saturday in dramatic fashion . The hosts have named an unchanged XI, but will want more from their top order after Sri Lanka had ripped through it in the first T20I. Mitchell Santner said he feels the pitch has lost a bit of the green tinge that was present in the first game, while he was also weary of the impact the wind might play on the game.
Charith Asalanka meanwhile wanted to focus on the positives, but was keen to point out the need for their batters to take a little time to get settled in the middle as well as the importance of cutting out no-balls - a comment likely directed at Matheesha Pathirana who bowled three in the first game. The visitors have also made one change with Avishka Fernando coming in for Bhanuka Rajapa.
