 The
first semi-final of the ICC CricketWorld Cup 2011 will have the Sri Lankan
side take on New Zealand in the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka will be favourites to get to the final given that this is not only their
home game but also that they have played much better than most of the other sides
in the competition.
Click for Live Score Card of New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's path to the semi-final was almost unhindered. They got to the quarter-finals
by winning all their games except the one against Pakistan, which also should
have been won by the Lankans. In the quarter-finals however, the Lankans showed
their true colours. First, the English side was restricted to a total of 228 and
then the opening batsmen made a mockery of the total by getting there without
the loss of any wickets. It was a ten-wicket loss for the English side.
On the other hand, New Zealand have been shock entrants into the semi-finals.
They have been the only non-Asian team to get there and quite clearly the least
expected to do so. They were up against a side that had topped their group, South
Africa. South Africa had one of the best sides in the tournament and were expected
to win the tournament, something that was totally devastated by the New Zealand
bowling and fielding.
Between the two sides, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, there is hardly any doubt that
Sri Lanka will be hugely favourites. They have the team to get there to the final,
what with the batting at the top of the innings and the bowling combination of
Malinga and the other spin bowlers that the side have in the side.
Where the Lankans could face an issue is with the middle order batting, where
the side hasn't had the best of times. None of Angelo Matthews, Thilan Samaraweera
and the rest have been able to get going, causing much issues to the side if
they did collapse early. Of course, there are likes of Kumar Sangakkara
and Mahela Jayawardene who can stall any such fall of wickets.
New Zealand will look to their top-order to give them the start - the batting
of Guptill, McCullum, Ryder and Taylor - all of whom need starts. The bowling,
on the other hand, will depend on the likes of Daniel Vettori and McCullum
while one gets the sense that Luke Woodcock may be chucked out.
Sri Lanka should win this semi-final easily.
|
