Sri Lanka and New Zealand will kick off their ICC World Cup campaigns when they clash at the Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground in Cardiff at 3pm (IST) on Saturday.
Sri Lanka has been on a downward trajectory in cricket since the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, when the side reached the quarterfinal stage. Sri Lanka, who had been finalists in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup editions, have lost 41 of the 55 ODI matches they have played since 2017.
The Sri Lankan batting is lacking its traditional fire-power, which made it a force in world cricket for nearly three decades and is reliant on the likes of skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis and former captain Angelo Mathews.
Sri Lanka will be looking for a last hurrah from veteran pace bowler Lasith Malinga. Malinga, who made history taking four wickets in four balls in the 2007 World Cup, has lost pace in recent years. However, his performance in the recent IPL shows he still can’t be written off.
New Zealand have a more settled and confident side, led by the laid-back Kane Williamson. The Kiwis will have to choose between Colin Munro, who was injured by a yorker from Jasprit Bumrah in a warm-up match, and Henry Nicholls for the role of opening partner for Martin Guptill.
New Zealand will look for late-over fireworks from all-rounders James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme.
New Zealand will also have to choose between the leg spin of Ish Sodhi and left-arm spin of Mitchell Santner. Paceman Tim Southee may miss the match against Sri Lanka, owing to a calf strain. Southee had missed match practice on Friday. Matt Henry could partner Trent Boult.
-Agencies
