The first and inaugural One Day International (ODI) of five match series between host New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday.
Watch the live stream and videos here, here, here and live scores here, here, here. The series opener starts at 11 a.m. local time on Dec. 26 or 10 p.m. GMT ( 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT) on Dec. 26.
In a setback to Sri Lankan campaign, its lead pacer Lasith Malinga has been ruled out for two ODIs against Kiwis.
"He has not come for the ODIs. He's feeling some discomfort in his knee. Whether he will come between the ODIs and T20s -- no-one knows," team manager Jerry Woutersz annouced Friday a day before the ODI series opener, according to Press Trust of India. He has been replaced by all-rounder Thisara Perera.
New Zealand's star batsman Kane Williamson is also doubtful for Hagley Oval ODI due to a knee injury. Test opener Tom Latham is on standby in case Williamson will not play.
"We're just working through that knee. It's just a little bit niggly so we want to make sure it's a hundred per cent. If it's not Tom is the man we'll bring in as cover. We'll see how he feels (on Christmas Day) and make a decision," Kiwi batlling coach Craig McMillan said, according to Stuff NZ. "We need to get it right, if a little bit of a break will help it that's something we'll consider," he added.
The hosts, who crushed Sri Lanka in preceding Test series by 2-0, are hoping to continue their dominance over the visitors in ODI series as well.
The Probable Squads
New Zealand
Brendom McCullum, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Kane Willianmson, Henry Nicholls, George Worker, Luke Ronchi, Doug Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Mitchel McClenaghan
Sri Lanka
Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardana, Thisara Parera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal
