T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka face the misfiring Kiwis to open the super eights

Super eight stage of the tournament begins with a match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Both the teams had a sour outing in their last league games. Sri Lanka lost to South Africa and New Zealand to Pakistan. While Sri Lanka failed the South African pace test, New Zealand failed Pakistan’s Ajmal test, and therein lies the key to the match. New Zealanders are vulnerable against quality spin, and the Lankans have just the right spin arsenal with them. On the other hand, the Kiwis do not have a menacing pace attack like the one the Africans had. Therefore, the Lankans will breath easy. But the match is going to be played on a pitch which though not exactly a batting paradise, has even pace and bounce and promises a lot of runs. If the New Zealanders show strength of character, they can give Lanka a run for their money. An in-form Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor can show the way against the Lankan spin attack.

Kiwis have quite a number of T20 veterans and should open with Martin Guptill and James Franklin, rather than going with a rookie Rob Nicol. He played a decent innings of thirty three against Pakistan but at a stage like this, experience will have an upper hand as skipper Ross Taylor is well aware of his team’s fluctuating performances and would avoid experimenting.

Unlucky against Pakistan, Brendon McCullum is every bit an accomplished T20 player who does not entirely rely on brute power but also applies thought and imagination to deal with every delivery on merit. A lot will depend upon his Herculean strength and flamboyant Ross Taylor for what follows is an array of erratic all-rounders – Daniel Vettorie, Nathan McCullum and Jacob Oram, followed by colt Kane Williamson. Ross Taylor will have to execute his plans more sensibly than he did against Pakistan where he tinkered with the batting line-up, thrusting bigger responsibility on the part-timers. Pitch conditions will favor Tim Southee’s genuine pace and out-swing deliveries, their best pace bowler who will share the bowling with Kyle Mills, James Franklin and Jacob Oram with spinning counterparts Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum. If it is Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor in batting, then it’s Tim Southee and Daniel Vettorie in bowling who will be crucial.

One would fancy what fate lies in store for this fragile bowling attack of Kiwis when they face behemoths like Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. Lanka has a very good batting line up which runs deep and can provide cushion to the innings in case of early setbacks. Their last match against South Africa was not the ideal one. Though Lanka lost the match, it can hardly be taken as a parameter to gauge their batting for the match did not follow a proper T20 course because of rain. A potent bowling attack, comprising of Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis and Ajantha Mendis, will pose a prodigious challenge, and Taylor’s batters will have to sweat for every run. Side strain kept Ajantha Mendis out of the last match against South Africa and the final decision on his inclusion in the playing eleven against Kiwis will be taken before the match. In case he fails to make it for the match, Rangana Herath, who is just four T20 internationals old, will take his place. New Zealand will heave a sigh of relief at this news but they should be equally wary of Herath for his ODI and Test credentials are substantial to convey how much menacing this orthodox left-arm spinner can be.

New Zealand and Sri Lanka have encountered each other nine times in T20 internationals and the former has a slight upper hand as they have won five out of them. Though in T20 world cup encounters, they have met each other three times before and Sri Lanka rules over them with two wins in its kitty.

PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Brendon McCullum: Having many T20 feathers in his cap, he plays the shortest format of the game like nobody else. Having an average of 38.04 and a strike rate of 135.88 in T20 internationals, he relies not just on brute power but reads the situation accordingly. He is capable of playing pace and spin with equal efficiency.

Ross Taylor: Another T20 specialist, skipper Ross Taylor should join Brendon McCullum in his endeavors if he wants to gain the momentum. He too has the ability to win matches single-handedly. His ability to hit long and hard makes him a potential threat for the Sri Lankans.

Tim Southee: This young pacer had a huge bearing on New Zealand’s performance in the 2011 World Cup, his contribution making his team reach the semis of that tournament. He finished amongst the top three bowlers of the tournament and his recent performance in the last two games of this T20 world Cup he looked pretty impressive. Given the nature of the pitch at Pallekele, he is expected to make the best use of his pace and the swing that he is capable of generating.

Kumar Sangakkara: He is an outstanding batsman in all the formats of the game. His batting is a beautiful blend between defence and attack. Averaging 30.21 with a strike rate of 121.48 in T20 internationals, he displayed in his last two outings and will again be crucial for his team.

Ajantha Mendis: Coming out hard and strong after so many months of no cricket, a few niggles have resurfaced, to prevent him from being picked against South Africans. He is training with the team and it appears that his side strain is not affecting him. If the training goes smoothly, he will be there to spearhead the spin attack. His record-breaking and career best figures of 6/8 in four overs, have attracted a lot of praise. His bamboozling carom balls and googlies from the back of the hand will be a tough test to clear for the Kiwis. All eyes will be on the paper in Jayawardene’s hand when he comes for the toss because this man’s presence will make a huge difference.

Mahela Jayawardene: Having an average of 30.12 and a strike rate of 137.29 in T20 internationals and averaging 30.65 in all the IPL seasons combined, Lankan skipper looks prepared to dominate the opposition. It is the right time to impose himself as the top order batsman. Patience will be the key if he wants to convert his low scores into substantial ones.

VENUE: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

DATE: 27^th September, 2012

TIME: 15:30 (IST)