New Zealand and Sri Lanka find themselves facing similar demons when the start their five-match One Day International series in Napier tomorrow.

Both have just been mauled in South Africa and New Zealand has the extra frustration of having lost at home in a three-game series to Zimbabwe.

Those facts alone give the home team plenty of incentive, but there are even more reasons for New Zealand to look to dominate tomorrow's game and the series overall.

They simply cannot afford to miss the chance to get their game back on line before facing a much more daunting opponent in Pakistan in New Zealand next month.

Sri Lanka are also looking to regain some confidence before they head home to square up to England in an important Test series.

New Zealand team manager Jeff Crowe described the match as critical for New Zealand after the earlier disappointments.

"They are keen to start the series well. Both teams have been to South Africa and we have also had the Zimbabwe experience.

"The guys are feeling under some pressure because they know it is critical we start the series well."

Sri Lanka arrived in New Zealand with two of their ace cards, in left-arm fast-medium bowler Chaminda Vaas and off spinner Mutiah Muralitharan, under injury clouds. Then the side lost medium pacer Kaushalya Weeraratne with a broken finger after he had bowled only nine balls in New Plymouth on Sunday.

However, Sri Lankan coach Dav Whatmore is expecting both Vaas and Muralitharan will play in tomorrow's game.

"They are both bowling. I'll be surprised if they both don't play tomorrow. They've been given every opportunity. Vaas because he is a fast bowler won't know until tomorrow. He's been nursed along," he said.

A replacement player is en route to New Zealand for Weeraratne. Indika Gallage was expected to arrive in the country tonight.

Whatmore wasn't too concerned about the effects of injury on his side.

"An injury always gives an opportunity to another guy," he said.

However, a final decision on the Sri Lankan team will be made in the morning when an assessment is made of Muralitharan and Vaas.

Nor was Whatmore concerned about the fact his side had to front up for five games in New Zealand after such an arduous tour of South Africa.

"It's part and parcel of professional cricket. Schedules are set months in advance and we are very, very pleased to be in New Zealand," he said.

Sri Lankan captain, the dashing opening batsman, Sanath Jayasuriya was hopeful the Napier pitch would be faster than that for last week's first Shell Cup semi-final.

"It looks a good wicket. It looks like it will have some pace in it," he said after an inspection today.

Jayasuriya said the Sri Lankans were keen to regain their better touches in New Zealand before heading home to meet England.

"In their own conditions the South Africans played well. We went through a hard time and I think we should have every opportunity to do something better in New Zealand," he said.

Whatmore said, "South Africa was a big learning curve for both teams, New Zealand was a bit handicapped with its injuries and we got through basically a little unscathed."

But he said New Zealand was entitled to be respected on the One Day stage.

"New Zealand in the last few years have been very difficult to beat. I think they have a lot of depth and they've been very competitive. Anyone who beats New Zealand will have played very well," he said.

While Jayasuriya added: "It is time for us to get some confidence in these five one-day games. It is hard for us but we can't make excuses for that," he said.

The series will also be a forerunner to the Test series New Zealand will have in Sri Lanka at the end of the season. Some of the younger players injected into the national side as a result of injuries sustained by players like Chris Cairns, Dion Nash and Shayne O'Connor could expect that a reasonable showing against the Sri Lankans would greatly help their cause.

The chance is there also for any bowler who can show the relevant aptitude to make a fist of bowling at the death, an area that has become the Achilles heel of the side.

It seems that Wellington fast-medium bowler Andrew Penn will be entrusted with one end today, while James Franklin and Chris Martin may be others who will be looked at.

The other fascinating aspect of today's game will be the return to international play of left-arm spin bowler Daniel Vettori, who apart from his obvious bowling strength adds length to the batting order and versatility in the field.

The teams will be selected from:

New Zealand - Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Mathew Sinclair, Roger Twose, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Jacob Oram, Adam Parore, James Franklin, Daniel Vettori, Andrew Penn, Chris Martin.

Sri Lanka - Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvin Atapattu, Russel Arnold, Mahela Jayawadene, Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Avishka Gunawardene, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Mutiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando, Kumar Dharmasena, Ruchira Perera, Eric Upashantha.

The game starts at 2pm at McLean Park.

© CricInfo