What is it?
2019 World Cup group stage match
Who is playing?
New Zealand v Sri Lanka
When is it?
Today, 1.30pm (UAE time) start
Where is it being played?
Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff
How to watch in UAE?
Tune in to OSN Sports Cricket HD or create an online account with Wavo for US$54 (a little less than Dh200). The account will provide customers access to two channels, OSN Cric Xtra 1 and OSN Cric Xtra 2.
What’s their head-to-head like?
Matches: 98
New Zealand won: 48
Sri Lanka won: 41
Tied: 1
No result: 8
Form guide (past five games):
New Zealand: WWWLW
Sri Lanka: WLLLL
What they said:
Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain, cautioning his players not to get stuck to a plan and adjust according to the situation: "There will not be one way to play. We know that not every game will be a 350 score, and it's important to be made aware of that as we go throughout this tournament."
Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka captain, on leading a new-look side: "All the other guys who have played in the last couple of years failed to perform for Sri Lanka. We have a good side with fresh faces, and are trying to start again. We are trying to be ready for the World Cup and I think we are."
Likely XIs:
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Matt Henry.
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal.
Summary:
New Zealand could not have asked for a better team to face first up as they kickstart their World Cup campaign today.
The Black Caps are a settled side and are being led by man who has been in this position for a while. In contrast, Sri Lanka have a new-look side and are being captained by a player who, while being experienced at international level, has not had much time to settle into his role as leader.
It feels like Karunaratne's men are preparing for the 2023 World Cup seeing as they are in rebuilding mode, and they are going to face a stern test against a New Zealand side whose batting looks as solid as their bowling. That being said, they will be wary of paceman Lasith Malinga, one of Sri Lanka's few veteran players left in the squad.