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World Cup hopes on the road for Sri Lanka in opposition to IPL-weakened New Zealand

Big image: Test thrills augur properly

Despite the eventual 2-0 scoreline in favour of the hosts, it is protected to say Sri Lanka may need stunned a good few of us that tuned into the Tests in Christchurch and Wellington – okay, perhaps not a lot the latter, however actually over the course of that epic first Test.

In that recreation, the guests, in pursuit of an unlikely World Test Championship berth, ran the defending WTC champions as shut as just about anybody may have imagined. And within the course of garnered some well-deserved respect from the broader cricketing world.

That, although, was the Sri Lankan red-ball facet, one propelled not by particular person exceptionalism however an virtually New Zealand-esque sense of collectivism. And whereas their white-ball outings have additionally seen a marked enchancment in current occasions, culminating in a memorable Asia Cup T20 victory final yr, their ODI unit has largely underwhelmed.

Since the beginning of the ODI World Cup Super League, Sri Lanka have misplaced away to West Indies, Bangladesh and England, whereas their house file has been marginally higher, shedding to India, beating South Africa and, most not too long ago, drawing in opposition to Afghanistan.

The ODI facet’s nadir was arguably reached earlier this yr throughout a 3-0 drubbing in India – a very powerful capsule to swallow in a World Cup yr in the identical nation, particularly because the T20I collection that preceded had seen them take the hosts to collection decider. While any silver linings in Sri Lanka’s current one-day historical past would possibly seem to be wizard-level straw-clutching, the file will nonetheless additionally present a 3-2 collection win at house to Australia final yr – so, yeah, there may be that.

Which brings us to the current, the place for Sri Lanka to have any hopes of computerized qualification for the World Cup later this yr they should full a whitewash of New Zealand within the week or so forward – and even then, they’re closely depending on South Africa fluffing their strains in a collection in opposition to Netherlands.

What they may have going for them is that the hosts will not precisely be at full power. With World Cup qualification secured, and situations in India unlikely to be something like what the likes of Auckland, Christchurch and Hamilton have to supply, New Zealand have given clearance for at least 9 ODI regulars to play within the IPL.

Sri Lanka in the meantime have a comparatively settled unit and, save for the absence of Dushmantha Chameera, will doubtless be capable to put out their strongest XI. On paper a minimum of they give the impression of being the stronger facet.

Form information

(accomplished matches, most up-to-date first)

New Zealand: WWWWW
Sri Lanka: LLLWL

In the highlight: Matt Henry and Angelo Mathews

With 65 ODIs to his identify, by way of expertise Matt Henry comfortably eclipses the mixed match tally of Blair Tickner (9), Henry Shipley (3) and the uncapped Ben Lister – New Zealand’s different seam bowling choices for this collection – whereas even the addition of Daryll Mitchell (19) to the checklist would not assist all that a lot. Lockie Ferguson’s 53 caps actually would have evened the scales, however even with out his not too long ago picked-up hamstring pressure, he was attributable to play solely the primary ODI earlier than jetting off to the IPL. Henry is coming in on the again of a superb Test outing in opposition to Sri Lanka, and if this youthful New Zealand outfit are to take care of their wonderful house file, Henry may have a key position to play in it.

Angelo Mathews hasn’t turned out for a Sri Lankan white-ball facet since March 2021, and for a lot of that point a recall may have been categorised beneath hopeful at finest. But if T20 cricket is a younger man’s recreation, properly, ODI cricket would possibly nonetheless have room for some greying heads, even when Mathews’s recall at 35 in a World Cup yr actually does scream ‘final dance’. An common of 41.67 and almost 6,000 runs, in fact, is nothing to be scoffed at – to not point out his most up-to-date LPL stint the place he performed the position of finisher in spectacular style. Sri Lanka will want him to name on all of that huge expertise if they’re to have any probability at securing computerized qualification.

Pitch and situations: Bright situations in prospect

Eden Park hasn’t had a lot ODI cricket of late, however the final two video games have seen 300-plus chased down and 273 defended. The pitch has additionally been identified to help spin. Weather is predicted to be good and sunny.

Team news

On a floor that has been identified to help spin occasionally, New Zealand may go along with two spinners, which could imply a possible debut for allrounder Rachin Ravindra. One or each of batter Chad Bowes and seamer Ben Lister, each uncapped, are additionally in rivalry to play.

New Zealand (possible) XI: 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Finn Allen, 3 Chad Bowes, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Glenn Phillips 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Rachin Ravindra/Ish Sodhi, 8 Blair Tickner/Ben Lister, 9 Henry Shipley, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will Young

Most of Sri Lanka’s XI picks itself however a number of key areas stay up for grabs. At the highest of the order Nuwanidu Fernando is the doubtless choice alongside Pathum Nissanka. Then with 5 seamers within the squad, Sri Lanka actually have choices, with allrounder Chamika Karunaratne additionally in a position are available in if Sri Lanka need a further batter decrease down.

Sri Lanka (possible) XI: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Nuwanidu Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Charith Asalanka, 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Dhananjaya De Silva, 7 Dasun Shanaka (capt.), 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Lahiru Kumara, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Maheesh Theekshana/Matheesha Pathirana

Stats and trivia

  • Sri Lanka final received an ODI collection in New Zealand in 2001 (4-1). Since then they’ve received six of 23 accomplished ODIs in New Zealand.

  • Angelo Mathews wants 165 runs to attain 6,000 ODI runs. He will grow to be the ninth Sri Lankan to take action.

  • Since the 2019 World Cup New Zealand have received seven of 10 ODI collection house and away.

    • Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com

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    2022/23 articles new zealand news NZ preview SL Sri Lanka sri lanka tour of new Zealand
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