Having lost the first two ODIs of the five-match series comprehensively, none of the fans in the Lankan island would have expected that Sri Lanka to bounce back.
However, after an impressive victory in the third ODI, Sri Lanka head into the fifth and final match of the series with an opportunity to level the series.
New Zealand will face Sri Lanka in the fifth ODI at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday. History says, New Zealand have not won an ODI here at the Bay Oval, albeit having played only two matches.
The series is nicley poised at 2-1. The fourth ODI was washed out due to heavy rains. Sri Lanka bounced back strongly in the third ODI, with Tillakaratne Dilshan and Lahiru Thrirmanne's batting performances helping them secure their first win of the tour against the Kiwis.
The Black Caps will have to take the field without Brendon McCullum, as the skipper is struggling to recover from a back injury. Kane Williamson will take up the captain's hat in the final ODI and try and hand the Kiwis a series win over the struggling Lankans. Tom Latham will keep his place in the absence of McCullum.
"Brendon's really struggling with his injury. He hasn't progressed as well as we would have thought, so he's probably unlikely to play tomorrow. Long-term he will get some further assessment," New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said about Brendon McCullum's injury.
"He's not playing the T20s, so he'll get a decent break before Pakistan arrive, and certainly before Australia arrive."
Squads: New Zealand: Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, George Worker, Luke Ronchi (wk), Doug Bracewell, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Tim Southee.
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (C), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Nuwan Pradeep, Danushka Gunathilaka, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Sachithra Senanayake, Milinda Siriwardana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Thisara Perera.
Where to Watch Live
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 5th ODI is scheduled for an 11 am local time (3:30 am IST, 10 pm GMT) start with, unfortunately, no live TV coverage of the match in India.
Ten Sports will broadcast the match live in Sri Lanka, while Sky Sport is the place to be to watch the 5th one-day international in New Zealand. The live streaming option is on Sky Go NZ.
Viewers in the US can catch all the cricket action live on Willow TV, with the live stream option on Willow TV Online. Fox Sports will show New Zealand vs Sri Lanka live inAustralia.
Sky Sports is also the channel which will broadcast the 5th ODI in the UK and Ireland, while the match can also be live streamed on Sky Go.
