New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka 1st ODI: Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Preview

After New Zealand’s 2-0 win in the Test series, attention now shifts to their seven one-day internationals against Sri Lanka.

Things kick off in Christchurch, the scene of the Black Caps’ victory by eight wickets in the first Test.

Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Date: Sunday, January 11

Start time: 11 a.m. local time/10 p.m. GMT (Jan. 10)

Live on: CSN (Sri Lanka), TVNZ (New Zealand), Sky Sports (UK).

Weather: According to Weather.com, Christchurch will be largely sunny all day, with temperatures peaking at 27 degrees Celsius.

Overview

New Zealand kick off the ODI series without a couple of key players, as both Tim Southee and Ross Taylor are unavailable.

Southee has a slight hamstring problem that he has been carrying since the second Test, so the Black Caps have erred on the side of caution and rested him for this game.

Meanwhile, Taylor has been given the game off to spend time with his family, and he will not be replaced in the squad, while Matt Henry comes in for Southee for this game.

Fast bowler Kyle Mills is also not quite back to full fitness, so will miss this game, too, but otherwise the home side are selecting from the squad they will take to the World Cup.

Sri Lanka have some good news in the form of Lasith Malinga, who will return for the latter part of the ODI series but will not be available for this game.

They have not sprung any surprises for this series, with the experienced trio of Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan all selected.

Team News

New Zealand (from): Brendon McCullum (capt), Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Matt Henry.
 
Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shaminda Eranga, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Dimuth Karunaratne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachithra Senanayake, Lahiru Thirimanne.

Key Players

Kane Williamson

Having scored 396 runs in the Tests at an average of 198, Kane Williamson is right in form for New Zealand.

From his position at No. 3, he will be vital in helping the Black Caps start well with the bat.

Tillakaratne Dilshan

Still an explosive batsman despite his advancing years, Tillakaratne Dilshan will be keen to make an impact in this series.

If he is successful, Sri Lanka will be in a good position to be victorious.