Sri Lanka and New Zealand will face-off in a crucial duel of the Micromax ODI tri-series at the Rangiri Stadium here on Thursday. With all three sides (third side being India) playing two matches each, the tournament is at an intriguing stage. The league phase is at the half-way point.
The spirited New Zealand, that won a bonus point against India and denied Sri Lanka an extra point following a late surge with the ball, leads the table with five points at a net run-rate of +1.684. India's thumping victory over Sri Lanka with a bonus point has taken the side to the second place. India has five points at - 1.515. Sri Lanka - the host has four points at -0.278 - has slumped to the third spot. Things could change quickly though.
The controversy following Suraj Randiv's huge no-ball to Virender Sehwag has meant that mentally, at least, the host would be under some stress before a crunch game. With both India and New Zealand securing a bonus point, Sri Lanka requires a big win.
However, Sri Lanka will enter the game with the confidence of prevailing over the Kiwis earlier in the league. But for a stumble in the final stretch of its chase, the host would have romped home. Yet, the home team has batting worries. The Sri Lankan batting, in both its matches, has shown a tendency to collapse. The much-vaunted line-up almost lost its way against New Zealand and capitulated against India.
The side will seek a solid opening partnership between Tillekaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga, a right left combination of contrasts. Tharanga came up with a sizable contribution against the Kiwis and Dilshan displayed glimpses of his ability even as the Indian attack made early inroads.
The side, though, needs both to lay a foundation to prevent the middle-order from being exposed early in seaming conditions. The new ball does dart around and someone such as Mahela Jayawardene can assume control if he arrives after the ball has lost some of its hardness.
Of course, the technically refined Kumar Sangakkara occupies the vital No. 3 slot. But then, the side would want the southpaw to progress to a big score, build partnerships around him. The lack of associations hurt Sri Lanka against India.
The home side will have to take a call on Chamara Kapugedera. The right-hander has not inspired confidence in the middle. Chamara Silva might prove a better option.
Spinners Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath are expected to reclaim their places in the line-up; this indicates the side will pick two specialist pacemen spearheaded by the mercurial Lasith Malinga and all-rounder Angelo Mathews.
Sangakkara has often spoken about horses for courses and the Kiwis, save skipper Ross Taylor and old warhorse Scott Styris, are not too comfortable against spin in the middle overs.
The side winning the toss and batting first has an advantage, but as both Sri Lanka and India have shown, it is possible to win matches on the chase under the lights here. When the balls zips around in the evening and night, judicious stroke-selection is the key. Innings will have to be built, not rushed through.
In Darryl Tuffey, Kyle Mills and pacey left-armer Andy McKay – there is still a question mark over all-rounder Jacob Oram's fitness – New Zealand has a capable pace attack for the conditions. Tuffey extracts bounce and movement in the corridor while Mills gets the ball to skid through. However, New Zealand has missed left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori's class and experience in the middle overs.
The Kiwis will be hoping that opener Martin Guptill finally delivers. In a line-up short of specialist batsmen, his role is important. Bradley Watling, the other opener, did show promise against Sri Lanka in the earlier league duel between the two sides. He appears to be a compact player.
Skipper Taylor has led a depleted side with confidence and aggression. He has been pro-active on the field. And the brilliant Kiwi fielding has backed its bowling. Taylor will also have to provide the side inspiration with the willow. If he can settle down and then launch into the bowling, the Kiwis are in with a chance.
Teams
Sri Lanka (from): K. Sangakkara (captain), T. Dilshan, U. Tharanga, M. Jayawardene, T. Samaraweera, C. Silva, A. Mathews, N. Kulasekara, L.Malinga, S. A. Mendis, R. Herath, S. Randiv, D. Fernando, T. Perera, C. Kapugedera.
New Zealand (from): R. Taylor (captain), M. Guptill, B.J. Watling, S. Styris, T. Southee, G. Elliott, G. Hopkins, K. Williamson, K. Mills, D.Tuffey, A. McKay, J. Patel, J. Oram, P. Ingram,, N. McCullum.
Play starts at 2.30 pm IST
