http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 v New Zealand - 4th ODI - Match Preview
The ongoing five-match series has been adversely hit by bad weather preventing even a single game to see 100 overs. Nonetheless, as hosts Sri Lanka and New Zealand prepare for the fourth game at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa,
Hambantota, the Lankans take an unassailable 2-0 lead along with them after having won the second and third game.
While the points table tells us a different story, New Zealand have certainly been more competitive than were predicted. However, the Kiwis would be hoping for some luck ahead of this crucial faceoff.
If http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 are defeated on November 10, they will lose the series along with some pride. With Sri Lanka in spectacular form, odds are certainly against the visiting team. However, if the game is reduced due to rain, and New Zealand bat second, they have
a mighty chance of securing a victory.
Luck is something the Kiwis missed in the third match when they failed to defend 197 in 33 overs as Sri Lanka’s TM Dilshan shredded New Zealand’s bowling attack by hammering a staggering 102.
With Dilshan right at the top of the batting line-up with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397 to follow, the Lankans have an outstanding batting that can go ballistic if not countered appropriately.
It would be wise for New Zealand to contain rather than aim to grab wickets straight away. Their current bowling attack is not potent enough to penetrate a strong side enough to cause chaos; this is perhaps New Zealand’s biggest problem in this tour. New
Zealand’s best chances of winning rely on their capacity to halt the opposition on a modest total.
On the other hand, this New Zealand side has a batting attack good enough to rattle any bowling attack on a given day. And it is this strength that needs to be shown when they take on the Lankans on Saturday.
Brendon McCullum, who is returning from an injury is a big force in New Zealand and would need to carry his side’s batting. However, wicket keeper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BJ-Watling-c1172 is also a player to look out for as he has shown that he has the goods and would be lethal if he
gets going.
Sri Lankan bowlers will have to perform as a unit in order to give the Kiwi batsmen a run for their money. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540 who so far has been expensive will have to turn the tide around in order to give the home crowd a good show.
Squads:
Sri Lanka: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LD-Chandimal-c1831, Akila Dananjaya
Perera, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ranaweera-Mudiyanselage-Shaminda-Eranga-c83939, Tharindu Kaushal.
New Zealand: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-McDonald-c1042 Hira.
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