Sri Lanka is all set to tour New Zealand for two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is with the tour beginning on March 4 and ending on April 8th, 2023. The two Tests will be part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship.
The tour will begin with a two-day warmup match which will be played on March 4 and 5 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Then the first Test will begin at the same venue on March 9 onwards. The second Test will be played at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington from March 17.
Both of these Test matches are important for Sri Lanka, as they are still in contention for the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023 which will be played at the Oval in London. Australia leads the nine-team points table for the ongoing cycle with a healthy points percentage of 75.56, followed by India at 58.93.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka (53.33%) and South Africa (48.72%) too, who take the third and fourth positions respectively, are in with a chance.
“Sri Lanka still has a good chance of making it to the World Test Championship Final. We have done well to be among the top contenders, and if we can complete a good Test series on the upcoming New Zealand tour, our chances of making it to the Final will look like a greater possibility,” said Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne was quoted as saying by ICC.
“We are aware of the opportunity, as well as the challenges we will face in capturing this wonderful opportunity to play in the WTC Final. This competition is really good for red-ball cricket, as it ensures that every game is played at the highest level of intensity, and the teams, whether they qualify to play the Final or not, will compete to end the ongoing cycle well,” he added.
Auckland, Christchurch, And Hamilton To Host The ODI Series Between New Zealand And Sri Lanka
The three-match ODI series will form part of the inaugural 2020–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. Sri Lanka is yet to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India and is currently at the 10th spot in the standings with 77 points from 21 matches with 7 wins and 12 losses to their name.
The first ODI will be played on March 25 at Eden Park, Auckland, the second on March 28 in Christchurch, and the final ODI on March 31 in Hamilton.
This will be followed by three T20Is on April 2, 5, and 8 at Auckland, Dunedin, and Queenstown respectively.
Here are the fixtures of Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023:
04 to 5 March 2023- 2 Day Warm UP Hagley Oval, Christchurch
09 to 13 March 2023- 1st Test- Match Hagley Oval, Christchurch
17 to 21 March 2023- 2nd Test- Match- Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
2 March 2023, 1 ODI Eden Park, Auckland
28 March 2023, 2 ODI Hagley Oval, Christchurch
31 March 2023- 3rd ODI Seddon Park, Hamilton
2 April 2023- 1st T20I- Eden Park, Auckland
5 April 2023- 2nd T20I-University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
8 April 2023- 3rd T20I- Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown
Also Read: IND vs AUS: Simon O’Donnell Asks For ICC Intervention Ahead of First Test To Stop Indian Team From Gaining An Advantage.