Champions Trophy: Match 4, Group A - 5 reasons why New Zealand can defeat Sri Lanka

4. The absence of quality spin

Sachithra Senanayake

Sri Lanka have traditionally travelled to ICC’s elite competitions with bowling attacks revolving around their top-spinners. Muttiah Muralitharan and then Ajantha Mendis played a wicket-taking role in their respective sides. Sri Lanka come to the Champions Trophy with Rangana Herath who has failed to impress so far and his effectiveness in English conditions is under considerable doubt. Sachithra Senanayake will compete with him for a spot in the XI; the off-spinner, in spite of looking promising, is inexperienced and might not derive the same purchase on wickets that don’t deteriorate.