Thursday's ICC Cricket World Cup clash between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Bengaluru is a must win game for the Black Caps when it comes to their hopes of reaching the semi finals.
New Zealand
This is New Zealand's final match in the round robin stage and after 4 wins and 4 defeats they have 8 points, the same total as Pakistan and Afghanistan who also have 1 match to play. As it stands New Zealand have the best net run rate of the trio who are vying for the last semi final spot behind India, South Africa and Australia.
After starting with 4 straight wide margin wins over England, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan the Black Caps have lost 4 in a row. Their 100% record was halted by India and they subsequently went down narrowly to Australia before they were thumped by South Africa.
Last time out New Zealand faced Pakistan at this venue. Batting first they posted a very healthy 401/6 in their 50 overs (Ravindra 108, Williamson 95) but Pakistan were 201/1 half way through their innings when rain brought an end to proceedings and Pakistan were in front by 21 runs on D/L
Squads and Team News
This was how New Zealand lined up last time out.
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult
Did not play: Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Will Young, James Neesham
Sri Lanka
With 2 wins and 6 defeats against their name Sri Lanka will be heading home after this. Their wins came against the Netherlands in their fourth outing and they also turned England over at this venue by 8 wickets, bowling the defending champions out for just 156.
Since then they were thrashed by Afghanistan and India and last time out they went down by 3 wickets to Bangladesh.
Squads and Team News
This was how Sri Lanka lined up last time out.
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
Did not play: Dimuth Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Dunith Wellalage
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 101 times with New Zealand winning 51 to Sri Lanka's 41 with 1 tie and 8 no results
The teams last met in a 3 match series in New Zealand March this year and the Blck Caps were 2-0 winners with 1 game washed out
In CWC 2019 New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets
The Betting
New Zealand are currently trading at around 1 / 4 to win the game and Sri Lanka can be backed at around 5/2
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
You have to think New Zealand and in terms of their top run scorer the vote goes to opener Devon Conway
Batting at 5 in the recent defeat to Bangladesh Asalanka made 108 and that puts him in the mix to be top SL run scorer at an attractive price.
Bets: Top Sri Lanka Run Scorer Asalanka at 6/1 with Sportingbet
Top New Zealand Run Scorer Conway at 33/10 with Sportingbet
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Discussion Forum
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