Cricket
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I, Predictions, Odds and Tips, 28th Dec
If you’re interested in New Zealand v Sri Lanka betting, you’ve come to the right place because we’re about to talk you through all the latest New Zealand v Sri Lanka betting odds at the best betting platforms ahead of the 1st T20I, complete with our New Zealand v Sri Lanka prediction across several of the betting markets.
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Sri Lanka VS New Zealand//Getty Images
New Zealand are currently ranked 6th in the T20I ICC rankings while opponents Sri Lanka are 8th. The next World Cup is some way off but it’s never too early to start preparing and working out who our best XI is.
In addition to following our betting tips, remember to also check our recommended Sportsbooks to see what cricket betting offers are available to give you a little more bang for your buck.
South Africa vs Pakistan 1st T20I at Mount Maunganui match details
Date: Saturday December 28
Kickoff Time: 7:15 p.m. local (6.15am GMT)
Tournament: Bilateral Series
Format: T20I
Last meeting: New Zealand won by 5 runs (November 2024)
Odds and Betting Tips
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: Kiwis comfortable favourites
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
- Team A: 1.62 / 8/13 / 61.7%
- Team B: 2.31 / 5/4 / 44.4%
Odds courtesy of Sportsbet.io. subject to change.
Betting Tips
Total Runouts in the match: Over 0.5 @ 1.63 with Sportsbet.io: With players taking far more risks than usual in this format in terms of running between the wickets and vast improvements in fielding, a run out is never too far away in T20 cricket. Let’s hope we get at least one.
First Innings- Ravindra to Score 50 @ 4.1: Ravindra hasn’t had the best start to his career in this format but has plenty of ability, has good IPL experience and will be batting on tracks he knows well here at home so could well add to that solitary T02I fifty sooner rather than later.
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Venue | Winner | Manner of win |
| Apr 2 2023 | Auckland | Tie | Sri Lanka won Super Over |
| Apr 5 2023 | Dunedin | New Zealand | Won by 9 wickets |
| Apr 8 2023 | Queenstown | New Zealand | Won by 4 wickets |
| Nov 9 2024 | Dambulla | Sri Lanka | Won by 4 wickets |
| Nov 10 2024 | Dambulla | New Zealand | Won by 5 runs |
Back in early April 2024, these two produced that rarity of cricket: a tie. Sri Lanka set New Zealand 196 to chase and that’s exactly what they ended up with too after a fine 66 from Daryl Mitchell. New Zealand could only manage eight batting first in the Super Over, which Sri Lanka chased needing just three balls to do so.
New Zealand: Current Squad
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- Michael Bracewell
- Mark Chapman
- Jacob Duffy
- Zak Foulkes
- Mitch Hay
- Matt Henry
- Bevon Jacobs
- Daryl Mitchell
- Glenn Phillips
- Rachin Ravindra
- Tim Robinson
- Nathan Smith
Mitchell Santner
The new Black Caps T20I skipper has been rewarded for his consistency and cricketing brains in this format by being given the leadership role but will be expected to bowl tight overs and contribute with some lower-middle order runs, too.
Glenn Phillips
The man who can do the lot in this format: hit big sixes, bowl off-spin, keep wicket if needed and field brilliantly. Lots of responsibility on his shoulders but he hasn’t necessarily been in the best of form.
Matt Henry
An experienced head who has stayed clear of injuries lately and has been bowling quickly, in the process taking plenty of wickets, so his four overs will be crucial.
Sri Lanka: Current Squad
- Charith Asalanka (c),
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kusal Mendis
- Kusal Perera
- Kamindu Mendis
- Dinesh Chandimal
- Avishka Fernando
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Dunith Wellalage,
- Jeffrey Vandersay
- Chamidu Wickramasinghe
- Nuwan Thushara
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Binura Fernando
- Asitha Fernando.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Hasaranga is right up there with the best leg spinners in the game and is particularly effective in the T20 format, taking bundles of wickets and being hard to get away. But he may also have an important role to play with the bat given he likes to go big. Currently ranked 3 in the T20I bowler rankings in T20Is.
Kusal Mendis
The keeper/batsman often opens in this format and knows his way around a T20 innings, combining unorthodox shots with smart placement and good running.
Charith Asalanka
The skipper is solid as a rock in the middle order and has recently also found some joy with the ball as well, with his gentle off spin harder to get away than many think.
Value Bets
The betting odds New Zealand v Sri Lanka are out and available so here are three value bets to consider.
Glenn Phillip to be New Zealand Top Bowler @ 8.5 with Sportsbet.io: Phillips doesn’t always bowl and when he does, he doesn’t always bowl four overs. But in the right conditions he sometimes does and has a knack for picking up big wickets out of nowhere, so at a big price, he has a decent chance.
Charith Asalanka to be Sri Lanka Top Bowler @ 9.0 with Sportsbet.io: A lot of what we just said about Phillips is also true of Asalanka as a part-time spinner who can get some good results on his day. But in Asalanka’s case, he’s the skipper, so may decide to bowl more than if someone else was in charge. 2 wickets could well do it here.
Top Batsman for both teams
Daryl Mitchell to be New Zealand Top Batsman @ 4.10 with Sportsbet.io: The experienced man bats in the top order, has good career numbers and a decent record against Sri Lanka so though he’s among the favourites, that’s for a reason.
Kusal Mendis to be Sri Lanka Top Batsman @ 4.1 with Sportsbet.io: Mendis is Sri Lanka’s go-to man in this format and has the big advantage of opening the batting, so he’s guaranteed to give you a good run for your money. A T20I career strike rate of 132 and 15 international T20 fifties is testament to his ability.
Home Team vs Away Team Prediction: Draw and Both Teams to Score
Prediction: New Zealand to win @ 1.62 with Sportsbet.io
New Zealand are 14-8 up against Sri Lanka in this format over the years so have very much had the upper hand. Sri Lanka may improve the Series goes on but it’s always hard to hit the ground running in alien conditions, so it may well be first blood to the hosts, who have picked a strong squad here under new skipper Santner.
James has been writing about cricket, football and tennis betting for the best part of 20 years for some of the biggest operators, websites and publications in the industry. Heroes and heroines include Paul Scholes, Chris DiMarco, Anastasia Myskina, Richard Gasquet, Nat-Sciver Brunt and Kumar Sangakarra.