Sri Lanka to visit New Zealand for three ODIs and three T20Is in December 2024 - January 2025
On Wednesday, December 11, it was announced that Sri Lanka will tour New Zealand for three ODIs and as many T20Is in December 2024 and January 2025. The Lankans will take on the Black Caps in a return series, with the two sides having faced off in November.
The series will be critical for both sides, especially ahead of the Champions Trophy scheduled to begin on February 19. This is likely to be the last bilateral series for Sri Lanka and New Zealand before the Champions Trophy.
New Zealand had toured Sri Lanka last month for three ODIs and two T20Is. The Kiwis had also played a couple of Tests against the Lankans in September. The T20I series resulted in a draw, while the home side won the 50-overs rubber and the two Tests.
Tour Schedule:
December 28, 2024: 1st T20I - Bay Oval, Tauranga
December 30 2024: 2nd T20I - Bay Oval, Tauranga
January 2 2025: 3rd T20I - Saxton Oval, Nelson
January 5 2025: 1st ODI - Basin Reserve, Wellington
January 8 2025: 2nd ODI - Seddon Park, Hamilton
January 11 2025: 3rd ODI - Eden Park, Auckland
Sri Lanka lost to New Zealand in all formats during their last tour
Sri Lanka endured a disastrous tour of New Zealand when they visited the country in 2023. They lost both Tests, followed by a 2-0 defeat in the three-game ODI series and a 2-1 defeat in three T20Is.
Sri Lanka recently concluded their two-Test tour of South Africa and have two more games in the present World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. New Zealand, the inaugural WTC winners, are currently involved in the home series against England.
While the Lankans are still in contention to play in the WTC final, the Black Caps are out of it.