Throw Sri Lanka chose bowling vs New Zealand

Sri Lanka won the toss and sent New Zealand to bat in the first T20I at Mount Maunganui. This is the first of three T20Is which will be followed by an ODI series.

With conditions at the Bay Oval expected to provide plenty of seam and bounce, both sides have opted to deploy three frontline seamers. Matt Henry returns to the top spot after being rested for New Zealand’s tour of Sri Lanka and will be joined by Zakary Foulkes and Jacob Duffy. This will also be a home debut for Mitch Hay, Tim Robinson and Foulkes.

For the visitors, seamer Binura Fernando is playing his first T20I since March, meaning Asitha Fernando gets a long overdue break. Hurlers Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thosehara round out the pace attack. Sri Lanka also fell to a 6-5 combination with Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga forming a five-man bowling attack.

Charith Asalanka said the pitch looked decent but she was happier while chasing. New captain Mitchell Santner enjoyed batting but was tired of the green tinge on the surface.

Meanwhile, conditions at Mount Maunganui appear to be impeccable for cricket, with a fast outfield and a brisk surface expected.

New Zealand: 1 Tim Robinson, 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Daryl Mitchell, 4 Mark Chapman, 5 Glenn Phillips, 6 Michael Bracewell, 7 Mitchell Hay (Week), 8 Mitchell Santner (Capt), 9 Matt Henry, 10 Zakary Foulkes, 11 Jacob Duffy

Sri Lanka: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kusal Perera, 4 Kamindu Mendis, 5 Charith Asalanka (Captain), 6 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Binura Fernando, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Matheesha Pathirana, 11 Nuwan Thosehara