New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: NZ vs SL Dream11 Team, Live Streaming, playing 11, Pitch Report, Forecast

New Zealand will be hosting Sri Lanka in the first Test of a two-match Test series from Thursday (March 9).

It will be a pivotal encounter for the Lankans as they have one eye on the WTC final, and only an emphatic series win can ensure that. New Zealand are already out of the WTC contention.

The Blackcaps scripted a dramatic win in their last Test match against England as they won the 2nd Test by 1 run to ensure parity in the series. This will be the first Test assignment for Sri Lanka in 2023. The Lankans played their last red-ball cricket against Pakistan last year where they drew the series 1-1 in their own backyard.

NZ vs SL 1st Test Weather Forecast and Pitch Report:

At the Hagley Oval, batting first after winning the toss will be the ideal decision as the pitch deteriorates as the match goes on. Expect things to be challenging for batters as there will be assistance for fast bowlers.

It can be a stop-and-start affair in Christchurch as there is an expectation of rain across the next five days. It will mostly be a cloudy sky and the temperature will be around 18 to 22-degree celsius.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2023: Schedule, Squads, Venues

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Match Details

Date: March 9 to March 13

Time: 3.30 am IST

Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Telecast and Live Streaming in India

The 1st Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka won't be shown LIVE in India. Although Indian fans can't watch the match on TV, they can live stream it on the Amazon Prime OTT app and website. The match will be starting on the early hours of Thursday, at 3.30 am IST.

Check out the Squad, Probable Playing 11, Dream11 Team and Prediction of the 1st Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka:

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Test squad:

Sri Lanka Test Squad vs NZ: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ramesh Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Chamika Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Nishan Madushka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando

New Zealand Test Squad vs SL: Tim Southee (C), Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson, Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Scott Kuggeleijn, Will Young, To Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner

NZ vs SL 1st Test probable playing 11:

New Zealand playing 11: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (C), Matt Henry, Neil Wagner

Sri Lanka playing 11: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando

NZ vs SL 1st Test Dream11 Team:

Here is the NZ vs SL Dream11 team lineup for the 1st Test-

Wicketkeepers: Kusal Mendis (SL)

Batters: Kane Williamson (NZ), Devon Conway (NZ), Angelo Mathews (SL), Henry Nicholls (NZ)

All-Rounders: Michael Bracewell (NZ), Ramesh Mendis (SL)

Bowlers: Tim Southee (NZ), Lahiru Kumara (SL), Neil Wagner (NZ), Matt Henry (NZ)

Captain: Tim Southee Vice-Captain: Kane Williamson

NZ vs SL 1st Test prediction:

Sri Lanka have been poor in their away form in Tests. Their last two visits to New Zealand have ended in series losses, and this time around things may well be repeated. The Kiwis have had a disappointing WTC 2021-23 campaign, but we reckon they will be too strong for the Lankans in this Test series.