Sri Lanka and New Zealand will face off in one last competitive match before the quarter finals- both have qualified. Both these teams have been impressive so far in the tournament and will look to get a good rehearsal of the challenges that await them in the next stage. Lets take a look at the odds.
Most runs scored
The Mumbai pitch provided a good game last time round and will play perfectly. The Sri Lankan batting holds the advantage going into this game as New Zealand skipper Vettori and strike bowler Kyle Mills have been deemed unfit for the game and will be rested so as to give them a small window of recovery before the quarter-finals. With that and the fact that Dilshan and Tharanga or on the backs of big scores individually and as a pair, New Zealand will have quite a task at hand. Sangakkara will also look to continue his flow. But Jayawerdene has had a quiet tournament other than that first match and he will be desperate to get a good run in the middle.
For New Zealand, a lot depends on that lower-middle order of theirs which is safely the most destructive one in the tournament. But the launching of that force will depend on what Guptill, McCullum, Ryder and Taylor provide at the top.
Available odds: Sangakkara @ 4.00; Tharanga/Dilshan @ 4.50;McCullum/Taylor/Guptill @ 4.50; Ryder 5.50
that_guy’s picks: Tharanga @ 4.50; Ryder @ 5.50
Most wickets
Sri Lanka have one of the strongest bowling attacks in the tournaments. Malinga, Murali, Mendis, Perera, Kulasekara and Herath, are all more than capable of fitting into that squad and the spinners in particular will hold a key. However, Malinga has a job on his shoulders to wipe that top order off and who better than him to do it?
New Zealand are a vastly depleted bowling attack but the absence of Kyle Mills almost definitely paves the way for young quickie Bennett. He will look to cement himself into this team alongside Jacob Oram, Tim Southee and Nathan McCullum, all of whom have been impressive so far.
Available odds: Malinga @ 3.25, Muralitharan @ 4.00; Menids @ 5.00; Southee @ 4.50; Bennet @ 5.50; Nathan McCullum @ 6.00
that_guy’s picks: Malinga @ 3.25; McCullum @ 6.00
Match result
It will be a well-contested game but the big hole in New Zealand’s bowling and the quality of spin in the Lankan side will be too hot to handle. Sri Lanka for the win.
Available odds: Sri Lanka @ 1.57; New Zealand @ 2.37
that_guy’s pick: Sri Lanka @ 1.57
[All odds taken from 888sport]