With New Zealand in the box seat of the one day series the Dunedin double will settle the series in New Zealand’s favour or allow Sri Lanka to play for a drawn in Wellington. New Zealand are odds on favourites after an excellent chase in Nelson.
The dept the New Zealand team is building is proving a little too challenging for a Sri Lanka team, who for the most part, are out of form.
The Last Time These Two Met
Nelson hosted a close game of cricket on Tuesday that saw the Black Caps get home by four wickets when chasing a tricky 277. New Zealand’s chase was anchored by the always impressive Kane Williamson, and finished off by a damaging cameo from Luke Ronchi. Williamson scored his fifth one day international hundred, showing excellent composure as others around him were dismissed in quick succession in a collapse that saw the hosts reduced to 63/3. Luke Ronchi’s hitting came in the 48th over where he bashed Thisara Perara for 24.
New Zealand’s four wicket win gives them a 2-0 series lead, and takes some of the gloss of Sri Lanka’s decent batting effort. Batting first the Sri Lankan’s made 276 on the back of Kumar Sangakkara (76) and Mahela Jayawardene (94). However, the score had had been more devastating if it weren’t for continuous wickets and an inability from the lower order to offer Jayawardene support.
The Teams
New Zealand (likely): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Brendon McCullum (capt), 3 Tom Latham/Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Luke Ronchi (wk) , 7 Corey Anderson, 8 Nathan McCullum/ Daniel Vettori, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Mitchell McClenaghan, 11 Trent Boult
Few changes expected with only the spin option to be determined. Nathan McCullum looks more likely.
Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Thisara Perara, 8 Jeevan Mendis, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Sachithra Senanayake, 11 Suranga Lakmal/Rangana Herath
The world is awaiting the return of Lasith Malinga but unfortunately he won’t be fit until February.
The Key Players
Nathan McCullum/ Daniel Vettori – New Zealand won’t play two spinners in any of their World Cup matches, meaning a tense duel is emerging between Vettori and McCullum to secure the single spot. By experience, Vettori has the edge. By wicket-taking intent and strike rate, it’s McCullum. Economy brings it back towards Vettori. Either way it’s an intriguing battle, which plays out its next stanza with McCullum scheduled to play in Dunedin.
Tillakaratne Dilshan – Dilshan is in som decent nick at the top of the order and is exuding confidence. There’s no fear of the Black Caps new ball bowlers, so he should be at his free scoring best again on the pristine University Oval surface.
The Match Odds*
New Zealand – $1.55
Sri Lanka – $3.00
*Courtesy of TopBetta.
The Prediction
New Zealand have the momentum, and they also have a better team of contributors. From 1-11 the entire team are contributing to totals, wickets and wins, whereas the Sri Lankans are relying on the usual suspects. If Sri Lanka are to win they need more support from the likes of Thirimanne, Karunaratne, Perara and Mendis. But we can’t see that happening – we’ll go with NZ to make the series unloseable.
The Longshot
University Oval is short straight so there should be a large number of 6s hit. How about taking a bet on both teams to hit the same number of 6s. It’s paying $7.50 at TopBetta.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
