Dominant Sri Lanka Up Against Spirited New Zealand

Colombo: Sri Lanka's brute batting force and shrewd bowling would be up against a sprightly New Zealand, aiming for a maiden summit clash berth in the World Cup, when the two sides clash in the first semifinal of the mega-event on Tuesday.

Despite making the semifinals in six out of 10 World Cups, New Zealand have always been dubbed the underdogs who have never made the. But the Kiwis believe this could be their breakthrough tournament.

New Zealand, after creating an upset in the quarterfinal by beating title-favorites South Africa, will be hoping to spring a similar surprise on the 1996 champions and 2007 runners-up.

"We are proud of our history of making semifinals, but looking at this team we want to make history and go one step further and make the final. We genuinely believe we can do that and we want to show that tomorrow," vice-captain Ross Taylor told reporters.

New Zealand qualified last from Group 'A', but stunned South Africa, who qualified first from Group 'B', in Dhaka on Friday when they beat them by 49 runs.

The spirited performance has created quite a buzz about the team which has a reputation of punching above its weight in major international events.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are one of the leading contenders to win this year's World Cup.

All four of their top order batsmen have scored hundreds in the competition so far but the lower half is a bit of a concern considering the number five, six and seven have just one half-century between them.

Sri Lanka had a comprehensive 10-wicket win over England in their quarterfinal on Saturday where they beat them with 63 balls to spare, but captain Kumar Sangakkara said despite the easy win, his team wouldn't take the Kiwis lightly.

Sri Lanka did beat New Zealand in a Group game in Mumbai by 112 runs, but Sangakkara said history hardly mattered in the knockout stage.

Sri Lanka are expected to again go with a three-strong spin attack, a ploy they used against England and Australia.

However, there are doubts over off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who is nursing a hamstring injury.

The Kiwis, on the other hand, have no major injury and have in fact been boosted by the return to form imposing all-rounder Jacob Oram, who grabbed four wickets and a couple of athletic catches in the quarterfinal win over South Africa.

Teams from

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt and wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (capt), Brendon McCullum (wk), Martin Guptill, James Franklin, Jamie How, Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, Kane Williamson and Luke Woodcock.

Stats & trivia

• New Zealand have not beaten Sri Lanka in their last four World Cup encounters. Their last win in the tournament over the co-hosts was in 1992.
• Tillakaratne Dilshan seems to be Sri Lanka's talisman. He is the second highest scorer in the tournament with 394 runs at a strike rate of 96.33. He has so far scored two centuries, one fifty and taken six wickets at an economy of 3.66. With 363 runs apiece, Kumar Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga are also flying high.
• Sri Lanka have a formidable spin and pace duo in Muttiah Muralitharan (13 wickets at an economy of 3.96) and Lasith Malinga (eight wickets) along with Ajantha Mendis' miserly bowling at an economy of 3.01.
• An upset win against South Africa by 49 runs in the quarterfinals is likely to provide an edge to the mental fortitude of New Zealand.
• Tim Southee (15 wickets) is one of the leading pacemen in this tournament, ably supported by Oram (12 wickets) and the very tenacious Nathan McCullum (eight wickets).
• Taylor's wicket (288 runs with 14 sixes) and Brendon McCullum (243 runs) at the top of the order will be key to New Zealand's chances.

Head-to-head

• Total played : 73
• New Zealand wins : 35
• Sri Lanka wins : 33
• Tied : 1
• No results: 4
• Last meeting : Sri Lanka won by 112 runs in Mumbai.

Match facts
Tuesday March 29, 2011 (day/night)
Start time 14:30 local (0900 GMT)