NZ vs SL: New Zealand playing XI vs Sri Lanka, Match 41, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – Predicted

New Zealand will face Sri Lanka in match No. 41 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Thursday.

After winning the first four games of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, New Zealand were looking pretty good. But then, they have also lost four matches on the trot, which has affected their chances for the semis. However, they can still make it, but for that, they need to win their last match. New Zealand will lock horns with Sri Lanka in match no. 41 of the tournament.

This game will be played on Thursday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Pakistan and Afghanistan also have 8 points, but New Zealand have a better NRR, and to improve it more, they need to beat Sri Lanka by a big margin. Here we will talk about the predicted playing XI for New Zealand against Sri Lanka.

NZ vs SL: New Zealand's Predicted playing XI vs Sri Lanka

1. Devon Conway (Wk) :

Devon Conway will be a big wicket at the top. Because he can play some big innings. The left-hander has been in good form and will look to take his team to the semis. Conway has scored 314 runs at a strike rate of 101.61, and these stats will be improved more on Thursday against Sri Lanka.

2. Rachin Ravindra :

Rachin Ravindra is in the form of his life. He has been the best player for New Zealand, and certainly the best at his age at the moment. He is coming off a hundred. The left-hander has now scored 523 runs at an average and strike rate of 74.71 and 107.39, respectively, with three hundreds and two fifties. He will be the player to watch out for.

3. Kane Williamson (C) :

Two matches and two half-centuries, Kane Williamson has been superb for New Zealand over the years, and he will continue it in this tournament. He has scored 173 runs in two innings and missed a hundred against Pakistan. Being a captain, he will look to take more responsibility, and take his team to the semis, and deliver a captain's performance once again.

4. Daryl Mitchell :

Daryl Mitchell is another consistent player for his team in this tournament. He has scored 375 runs at an average and strike rate of 62.50 and 108.06, with one hundred and two half-centuries. Mitchell has gotten starts in almost every game and has been a key member in the middle-order. New Zealand will depend on him and how he takes the innings deep and strikes some big shots against Sri Lanka.

5.  Tom Latham (Wk) :

Tom Latham is an important member of Kiwi middle-order. The left-hander is a technically sound batter who can play as per the situation and switch gears. Latham will be looking to make some impact on the team's success in the must-win game against Sri Lanka. He has scored 153 runs so far, including two half-centuries.

6. Glenn Phillips :

Glenn Phillips has been superb for New Zealand in this tournament with both bat and ball. He has done great in bowling. He has taken six wickets at an economy rate of 5.79. With the bat, he has scored 227 runs at a 107.07 strike rate and played an important cameo in the end, which makes him a crucial member of the team.

7. Mark Chapman :

Mark Chapman has been in the team to play some quick cameos in the end, which he has done perfectly well so far. The left-hander is a big striker of the ball and can hit the ball far. With an in-form top-order, he will be looking to make an impact with the bat in the final overs, and he can take on any bowling attack on his day.

8. Mitchell Santner :

Mitchell Santner will be the biggest threat in the middle overs for Sri Lanka because he takes regular wickets and also restricts the scoring rate. The left-arm spinner has taken 14 wickets so far at an economy rate of 5.17 and has done well in this tournament. New Zealand rely on him with the ball, and he will be expected to trouble the batters.

9. Ish Sodhi :

Ish Sodhi didn't have a great day in the game against Pakistan and he went for plenty in that match. But he is experienced enough to bounce back after a bad day in the game. He is a skilled leg-spinner who has a number of variations to trouble the batters. Sri Lankan batters have found it hard against spinners in this tournament, and Sodhi will be challenging for sure.

10. Tim Southee :

The highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in international cricket, Tim Southee, is expected to do well on Thursday. Being the most experienced bowler on either side, he is expected to deliver in this must-win game. One thing that will favour him, will be the overcast conditions. Because if there is a little bit of swing and seam, Southee can be destructive.

11. Trent Boult :

Trent Boult will be the biggest threat for Sri Lanka whenever he comes to bowl. He can strike at any position in the match, which makes him a special bowler to have in the team. Boult has taken 10 wickets so far, and a lot will depend on how he performs. With overcast conditions, he can be a lethal bowler to face.