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New Zealand vs Sri Lanka - A Preview

By: Anantha :+: Under: Cricket, Sports, World Cup 2007
On: ⋅ April 24, 2007 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment
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Have I ever told you that this World Cup is the most evenly matched tournament in its 30 year history? Oh I did? Let me tell you again. This World Cup is the most evenly matched tournament in the 30 year history of the tournament. And this first semi final match is no exception. Man to man, New Zealand and Sri Lanka are matched almost evenly. Each team depends on a few key players to fire.

In Shane Bond, New Zealand possesses the bowler of the world cup so far. With an economy rate of a measly 2.58 runs, Bond has pummelled the opposing batsmen into submission, not necessarily with blows to the body, but with balls that resemble greased lightning. In Jacob Oram and Scott Styris, New Zealand possesses a pair of all-rounders who rank among the best in the world currently. With the pitch at Sabina Park promising some bounce, it is imperative that this trio, along with Craig McMillan and James Franklin, fire early to ensure that New Zealand have a fighting chance. Dan Vettori will provide the sole spin alternative.

For Sri Lanka, it is imperative that Jayasuriya delivers with one of his specials. Alongside Jayasuriya, the trio of Tharanga, Jayawardene and Sangakkara along with Chamara Silva and Tilakaratne Dilshan will have to contribute too. Jayawardene and Silva have had a wonderful tournament so far and Sri Lanka will look to them to continue the good work. Sangakkara though, seems to be going through a bare patch (by his standards) during this tournament. And against New Zealand, his numbers are lower than that of his career. But knowing Sangakkara, he will surely back himself.

New Zealand’s batting seems to run deep. In fact they have been bowled out just once during this World Cup and that was against Australia in their last Super 8 game. But the catch is that, they have never been troubled, except in two games, one of which was against Sri Lanka. So they will approach this game with some lessons that they have hopefully learnt from their experiences. Fleming, Styris, Oram, McMillan and McCullum, not to mention Fulton and Taylor, are all capable batsman, but tomorrow they would need to collectively bat out of their skins. For they are coming face to face with one man who could potentially terrorize them in their dreams for months and even years to come – Muthiah Muralitharan.

Murali, as a number of batsmen in this World Cup have found out, can still put a mean spin on that red cherry. Glenn McGrath might have more wickets in this World Cup, but team after team in this World Cup has found that, at 36, Murali is still the mystery bowler. Murali has 19 wickets at 14.52 each so far in this World Cup and he looks set to grab a few more. Complementing Murali is that old warhorse, Chaminda Vaas. This duo was the cause of New Zealand’s downfall in the Super 8 game, grabbing 3 wickets apiece. Vaas is bowling with his full repertoire in view. The pace might have dwindled, but Sangakkara’s clever wicket keeping has perhaps compensated this loss. And the variety is still there. Sri Lanka will look for these two to provide the direction.

The momentum of the Lankan bowling attack will hinge on the performance of the blond highlighted lighting – Lasith Malinga. He has 15 wickets so far, but has been hampered by an injury that he picked up during the Super 8s. However he did show what he was capable of with that 4 wicket burst in the closing stages of the South Africa game that almost pushed South Africa off the edge of the precipice. If his (sometimes) wayward line could be avoided, Sri Lanka will have the perfect answer to Shane Bone.

The pitch at Sabina Park promises to provide some support for the likes of Bond and Malinga, so it might mean that the team winning the toss will bowl first. However, if New Zealand wins the toss, they will think about the possibility of facing the likes of Murali and Jayasuriya on a wearing wicket, particular if the Sri Lankan top-order fires. But if I were Fleming, I would go ahead and bowl first. Even with Jayasuriya, I’d fancy my chances and hope to take a few wickets cheaply to get a shot at the relatively fragile Sri Lankan middle order. And the Murali factor can be negated if Sri Lanka can be restricted to a sub 250 score.

Oh boy! I wish I had a day off tomorrow. This one promises to be a cracker!

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