CARDIFF, United Kingdom: New Zealand are preparing to face a spin barrage from Sri Lanka when the two sides meet in the Champions Trophy in Cardiff today.
New Zealand go into the tournament after a morale-boosting 2-1 one-day series win over hosts England, but Brendon McCullum’s side know Sri Lanka will throw up new challenges.
“We could conceivably be facing 30-35 overs of spin,” Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said ahead of the group A game.
“We need to be proactive against it.”
Sri Lanka’s spin attack includes four capable tweakers in Sachitra Senanayake, Jeevan Mendis, Rangana Herath and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Unorthodox slow bowler Ajantha Mendis was not picked for the tournament.
With sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga and steady seamer Nuwan Kulasekara also in the ranks, Sri Lanka have their options covered for what are expected to be good batting conditions in Cardiff.
India and South Africa played a high-scoring match at the same venue on Thursday, with the Proteas making 305 in reply to a commanding 331-7 by Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s World Cup champions.
With Australia and England the other two teams in their group, both New Zealand and Sri Lanka know a victory in the first match assumes greater significance. Two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, making it almost mandatory to win at least two of the three games to make the grade. “It’s as close to a knock-out competition as you can get,” Hesson said.
“We are certainly not thinking two weeks ahead.”
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews, leading his country for the first time in a major competition, agreed that winning the first fixture was important.
“You would want to win every game you play, but in a format like this it is important to get a good start,” he said.
Sri Lanka will be desperate to overcome the heartache of losing four title clashes in recent years - during the 50-over World Cups in 2007 and 2011 and the World Twenty20 in 2009 and 2012.
They have not enjoyed a good run in the Champions Trophy, failing to make the finals of the last three editions, even though they were joint-winners with India at home in Colombo 2002.
Sri Lanka will be encouraged by the fact they have won 10 of their last 11 completed 50-over games against New Zealand, including the last six in a row.
Sri Lanka’s batting will once again revolve around three seasoned former captains, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Dilshan, who must all fire to protect the fragile lower order.
Menawhile, the International Cricket Council yesterday charged West Indies wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin for wrongly claiming a catch against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.
The incident took place at the Oval, London, on Friday when Ramdin “caught” Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq off Kemar Roach before the batsman had opened his account.
Australian umpire Steve Davis gave Misbah out, but the decision was referred to third umpire Tony Hill following the intervention of English official Nigel Llong at square leg.
Replays showed that while Ramdin had, initially, caught the ball, he had subsequently allowed it to spill out of his grasp. It was eventually decided that Ramdin did not have full control over the ball.The ICC said in a statement that Ramdin had been charged with a Level two breach of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.”
Ramdin has pleaded not guilty to the offence, and a hearing will take place in London on Monday, the ICC said.
If found guilty, Ramdin could be fined between 50 and 100 percent of his match fees and/or be suspended for up to two one-day internationals.
Misbah, who went on to make 96 not out in his side’s two-wicket defeat, slammed Ramdin’s action after the match.
“I don’t think I would be happy if my wicketkeeper did that,” the Pakistan captain said. Agencies
