Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
CWC 2019 Match 3: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Preview Dream11. NZ vs SL Preview Dream11 Prediction
The first two matches of the tournament, on paper, gave a competitive feel, even though Pakistan put on a horror show. The third, between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, doesn’t quite give that feel pre-game.
New Zealand are one of the strong contenders for a Semi Final spot. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have had a torrid run in ODIs since the beginning of 2017. The Black Caps swept Sri Lanka 3-0 at home back at the turn of the year. Sri Lanka have won just 12 of 53 completed ODIs in the last two-and-a-half years. Yet again, a new captain is at the helm. Dimuth Karunaratne has been brought in skipper leading a side that looks terribly underdone.
However, let’s not make a mistake here. Games are not played on paper, and World Cups can spring a surprise or two. New Zealand are favourites, but will Kane Williamson’s men hit the ground running with a strong performance that’s expected of them? In what is expected to be a competitive tournament, nothing can be taken for granted.
Also read: Will Sri Lanka finish bottom of the points table? 5 big predictions for World Cup 2019
Key to a New Zealand win
It is a sight to behold when the Black Caps, particularly Trent Boult, get the ball moving. They hurt India in the Warm-up match last Saturday, and have it in them to cause issues to an inconsistent Sri Lankan top order. With Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne likely to open for the Lankans, New Zealand have the chance to build pressure. However, who should partner Boult up front? Matt Henry was awfully expensive in the second Warm-up against West Indies, paving the way for Tim Southee to get a call up. Powerplay wickets can bring back self doubt among the Sri Lankans, in which the Black Caps can then build on with the pace of Lockie Ferguson and accurate spin of Mitchell Santner. Can Kane Williamson’s team get the better of Sri Lanka’s big guns?
Also, for New Zealand to go far in this tournament, Martin Guptill needs to finish as one of the premier openers of 2019 World Cup. His power-hitting ability at the top can put pressure on the opposition, as well as reduce the pressure on Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor; all of whom are predominantly strokemakers. With the likes of Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme capable of wielding the willow, New Zealand would want at least two or three of the top four, like England did against South Africa, to make strong contributions.
Key to a Sri Lanka win
Much of Sri Lanka’s struggle over the last few years has come down to reliance on individual brilliance. They have rarely played as a team, which was on display in their tour of New Zealand earlier this year. Where the top order struggled, Thisara Perera nearly got them home on his own. The opposite applied if the top order went well. Here, the Sri Lankans need to overcome the early onslaught from the New Zealand quicks. Then, unlike in the Warm-up game against Australia, the middle order needs to push on effectively. Can Sri Lanka get to the death overs with wickets in hand, set up by the likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews?
Also read: 3 good changes to see after the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
Also, what wicket-taking threat can Sri Lanka provide? Lasith Malinga is the main man in the powerplay and death overs, but who else can deliver? The last thing Sri Lanka need is to have two or three bowlers letting the side down, so all called to the crease have to execute the plans effectively. Suranga Lakmal can be dangerous with any early movement. So too Nuwan Pradeep. Then, importantly, the spinners need to chip in with cheap overs and wickets in the middle overs.
Pitch and conditions
Mostly sunny conditions are expected in Cardiff for the match. Cardiff has played host to some of the lower-scoring matches in the last couple of years, especially involving England. Pakistan knocked England out of the 2017 Champions Trophy on a slow pitch. There was some help for the bowlers early on in the Warm-up game between India and Bangladesh, before improving for batting. Similar could be expected in this game.
Possible Playing 11
Colin Munro continues to underwhelm for New Zealand in ODIs. Henry Nicholls was sent up to open against India and Bangladesh earlier this year, and should do so here. Tim Southee could get the nod over Matt Henry, who went the journey in New Zealand’s second Warm-up vs West Indies. Also, Tom Latham is just back in full training, so it remains to be seen whether he gets the nod after a finger injury. If not, last-start centurion Tom Blundell will play.
New Zealand: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Henry Nicholls, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tom Latham/Tom Blundell (wk), 6. Jimmy Neesham, 7. Colin de Grandhomme/Ish Sodhi, 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Lockie Ferguson, 11. Trent Boult
Lahiru Thirimanne was Sri Lanka’s top run scorer in their Warm-up match against Australia. So, he should get the nod over Avishka Fernando to partner Dimuth Karunaratne at the top.
Sri Lanka: 1. Dimuth Karunaratne (c), 2. Lahiru Thrimmane, 3. Kusal Mendis, 4. Kusal Perera (wk), 5. Angelo Mathews, 6. Dhananjaya de Silva, 7. Thisara Perera, 8. Suranga Lakmal, 9. Nuwan Pradeep 10. Jefferey Vandersay, 11. Lasith Malinga
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
Option 2:
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head in World Cups: 10 matches, New Zealand 4, Sri Lanka 6.
- New Zealand and Sri Lanka played the World Cup opener in 2015. New Zealand won by 98 runs.
- Sri Lanka have won just 12 of 53 completed ODIs since the beginning of 2017.
- New Zealand were bundled out of the 2017 Champions Trophy at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
Match Prediction
It would certainly be an upset if Sri Lanka beat New Zealand.
Under Kane Williamson’s leadership, expect New Zealand to be switched on. They look to have too much in their locker for struggling Sri Lanka to handle. New Zealand to win.
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