Both teams had practice yesterday morning--the Sri Lankans at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) ground and New Zealand at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium(DCS).
Although Arjuna Ranatunga's side will start as firm favourites, the Kiwis can take heart from the fact that they enjoy the edge in head to head clashes between the two countries.
The two teams have met each other on 39 occasions in one day internationals with New Zealand winning 24 times while the Lankans have 12 victories to their credit.The sides have played one tied match and there was no results twice.
In the match against Zimbabwe, New Zealand were unusually sloppy on the field,and were guilty of dropping catches and bowling too many wayward deliveries.Only the resilient batting of skipper Fleming, Adam Parore and a swashbuckling last ditch cameo from Chris Harris ensured the Kiwis don't pack their bags early.
Fleming knows there is little margin for error against as formidable an opponent as Sri Lanka. `` Obviously they have world class players and are a very confident team. We can not afford to make too many mistakes against them. But it only takes three or four players to play well on the day and you can win a match. We have players with the ability, so it will be interesting.''
Only young Daniel Vettori managed to bowl his off-breaks with any consistency against Zimbabwe and Fleming's work is cut out in that department. However, with a powerpacked batting line-up consisting of brilliant stroke players like Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan and the captain himself, New Zealand are quite capable of upsetting the odds on any given day.
Fleming can do with a little discretion from McMillan,who, after dubiously given caught behind,didn't hide his feelings and was duly reprimanded by the match referee.
Opener Matthew Horne may have his first outing in place of Matthew Bell while left arm opening bowler Shayne O'Connor could replace Jeoff Allott.
Arjuna Ranatunga, the Sri Lankan captain rated New Zealand as ``a very good one-day side''.
``Naturally their level of confidence is on a high now after the win against Zimbabwe.But we are the world champions and we will play like that,'' said Ranatunga.
The Lankans, with their electrifying brand of stroke-play are a huge favourite in Bangladesh and the fans can expect a whirlwind opening stand from Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana.Sri Lanka's depth in the middle is awesome.Marvan Attapattu will bat at number three followed by Aravinda de Silva and new fitness fanatic Arjuna Ranatunga (who has by his own admission shed 10-kg weight over the last few months).
The bowling will be bolstered by the fact that ace paceman Chaminda Vaas has returned from a long injury lay-off. Also back in contention is another left-armer Nuan Zoysa,regarded as the quickest among the Sri Lankan lot. But all eyes surely would be on off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan,fresh from his recent heroics against England.
Sri Lanka and New Zealand both are excellent fielding sides, so despite the world rankings, the match promises to be an absorbing one.
Teams
Sri Lanka (from): Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga(Captain), Roshan Mahanama, Hashan Tillekeratne, Avishka Gunawardena, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Chaminda Vaas, Pramodya Wickremasinghe, Kumara Dharmasena, Muttiah Muralitharan, Upul Chandana, Nuan Zoysa.
New Zealand (from): Nathan Astle, Matthew Horne, Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan, Adam Parore, Chris Harris, Alex Tait, Simon Doull, Geoff Allott, Matthew Bell, Daniel Vettori, Shayne O'Connor, Mark Bailey, Matthew Bell.