Sri Lanka v New Zealand
LIVE STREAMING
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - 1st Semi Final
At Colombo
March 29, 2011, 14:30 local time (09:00 GMT)
COLOMBO – ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is heading towards it end. Last three matches are still to be played that will decide the new champion of the world of cricket.
In the first of the two semi-finals co-host Sri Lanka will take on confident Black Caps. New Zealand team came to the World Cup when cricket pundits were grading them as maximum-quarterfinal team; but the way they fought back from no where it’s quite impressive.
The Black Caps will appear in their sixth World Cup semi-final since losing to eventual winners the West Indies in the inaugural edition held in England in 1975.
Since then New Zealand lost to England (1979), Pakistan (1992 and 1999) and Sri Lanka (2007) but ace batsman Ross Taylor believes New Zealand can make history by qualifying for a first World Cup final by beating co-hosts Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Since then New Zealand lost to England (1979), Pakistan (1992 and 1999) and Sri Lanka (2007) but ace batsman Ross Taylor believes New Zealand can make history by qualifying for a first World Cup final by beating co-hosts Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Although they lost to defending champion Australia and their semi-final opponents Sri Lanka on group stage; but they always look like a united outfit. Their confidence must be sky-high with their two victories; first on the group stage they beat Pakistan comprehensively and then in quarterfinal they let South African to feel the heat.
Although they had a big blow in shape of Kyle Mills’ absence who was ruled out due to his injury; but their batting and fielding is up to the mark for the big match ahead. Andy McKay is expected to replace Mills in the semi-final. Jacob Oram, man of the match in quarterfinal, is bowling quite impressively and teasing every batsman with his line and accurate length.
Ross Taylor is in his prime form ever since he blasted century against Pakistan. Nathan Brothers are doing well. Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptill can be lethal on their day. It was all Ryder’s eighty odd innings that led New Zealand to a fighting total in the Quarterfinal against South Africa. All in all their real strength lies in their unity. Every player tries 100% to give his maximum.
On the other hand; Sri Lanka cruising along quite confidently from day one, except a single bad day when they lost to Pakistan in group match. Their skipper Kumar Sangakkara is leading from the front. Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan have scored the recent most centuries in this world cup in their quarterfinal against England. Batting abilities and class of Mahela Jayawadene is comparable to any best batsman in the world.
As far as their bowling is concerned; the analysis shows that in their last seven matches, including quarterfinal against England, only twice the opponents crossed the 200-mark. None of their bowlers performed extraordinary, except Malinga’s hat-trick against Kenya, but every one of them is among the wickets and whenever their captain assigned them a task they fulfilled it.
The above analysis clearly depicts that Sri Lanka is the most balanced side among the four teams survived in this world cup; therefore, they have plenty of chances to go through to final beating New Zealand. Here one should remember that they bowled out Black Caps on just 153 in their group match.
The match will start on 14:00 PST (14:30 local time, 14:30 IST, 09:00 GMT) at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Both teams will announce their final 11-member squads just before the match from the following available players.
Teams:
New Zealand (From): Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum(w), Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, James Franklin, Nathan McCullum, Daniel Vettori(c), Andy McKay, Tim Southee, Hamish Bennett, Jacob Oram, Jamie How, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock
Sri Lanka (From): Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara(w/c), Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath, Chamara Kapugedera, Thissara Perera
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