Sri Lanka got themselves back into the ODI series with New Zealand on New Year’s Eve and on Saturday they will try and force a decider when the two sides meet again in the 4th ODI.
The wheels came off for New Zealand in the third game as they laboured with the bat and were taken apart with the ball. That would have been a bit of a reality check after two facile victories to open up the series and it remains to be seen if it has kick started them into life.
New Zealand will be forced into a change for this match as Tim Southee has been ruled out of the series with injury. Matt Henry has been recalled to the squad but it could be that Ish Sodhi comes in for the pace man. Brendon McCullum looks set to miss out once again so Kane Williamson will lead the side again.
Sri Lanka put back to back humiliations behind them to get themselves back in the series but that will all be in vain if they go on and lose this match and the series with it so they remain under pressure. They won with so much to spare in the 3rd ODI that they should have plenty of confidence.
With the wicket the way it is looking Sri Lanka could bring another full spinner into their side although in Dilshan and Siriwardena they have a couple of handy part time options which might allow them to name an unchanged side which would be a luxury.
Saxton Oval in Nelson is the venue again as it was on New Year’s Eve. We saw in that match the wicket resembled something we would see in Sri Lanka with plenty of turn and not much bounce and the tourists will definitely be buoyed by that.
With conditions the way they are and with New Zealand missing some big players and their middle order not contributing as they would like Sri Lanka have every chance here. Their big players are starting to stand up and make an impact and we saw the effect it has in the last game.
Sri Lanka were visibly more comfortable in these conditions than in Christchurch and with the wicket only going to wear more as this match goes on they look overpriced to force a decider. The previous match was how I was expecting the series to go and at 5/2 I’ll take the tourists on this pitch.
One man who should go very well on this pitch is Tillakaratne Dilshan. He just scored 91 with the bat and another big innings would come as no surprise on this track but given the spin it was offering late on in the previous match Dilshan’s off spin could yield something in this match too.
Dilshan has a performance line of 40 for the match and coming off the back of a game where he scored 101pts that line looks a little low especially with the added scoring potential with the ball in this one so I’m happy to take the overs on that.
I’ve been keen on Mitchell McClenaghan through this series and while he failed me in the previous match he did at least take the only wicket New Zealand got with the ball that wasn’t a run out. On a wearing wicket I expect him to offer more in this match and get back among the wickets.
Only twice in 10 bowling innings has the left armer not taken two or more wickets against Sri Lanka in this format whether New Zealand have won or lost so the odds against on him bagging a brace at least here is too good to turn down.
Back Sri Lanka to win 4th ODI for a 2/10 stake at 3.50 with Ladbrokes
Back T.Dilshan’s Performance Pts – 40&Over for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back M.McClenaghan Over 1.5 wickets for a 3/10 stake at 2.25 with Coral
