Quarterfinal berths secured, Sri Lanka and New Zealand would be keen to maintain the winning momentum prior to tougher battles in the knockout phase of the World Cup when they clash in their concluding Group 'A' fixture in Mumbai tomorrow.
Quarterfinal berths secured, Sri Lanka and New Zealand would be keen to maintain the winning momentum prior to tougher battles in the knockout phase of the World Cup when they clash in their concluding Group 'A' fixture here tomorrow.
While New Zealand are currently second, a rung behind group leaders and defending champions Australia, a victory for tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka, a point behind the Black Caps with 7 to their credit, would push them ahead of the Kiwis in the pecking order.
However, it will be the concluding league fixture between Australia and Pakistan in Colombo a day later that would decide the final order of merit in the group as well as decide which team takes on which from Group 'B' in the knock-out phase.
New Zealand, seventh in ICC rankings are set to go into the tie against fourth-ranked Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium here without their captain Daniel Vettori and key new-ball bowler Kyle Mills.
The duo is carrying injuries and targeting the quarterfinals to get back into action, and this could prove to be a major handicap against the Sri Lankans who are adept at playing on the slow wickets of the sub-continent.
"We are looking at having Kyle Mills and Daniel Vettori fit for the quarterfinals. Their injuries have come along fine but they probably are not ready for this match," said New Zealand's vice captain Ross Taylor.
The 27-year-old Taylor will lead the Black Caps for the second match running after having been at the helm when they won their previous game against Canada to ensure entry in the last eight at this venue on March 13.
Lanka's 33-year-old star batsman Mahela Jayawardene, while conceding that Vettori and Mills' absence would be to his side's advantage, also cautioned that they can expect a new gameplan confronting them as a consequence.
"I think those two guys probably are the senior-most bowlers in their line up. But then again we can't take anything lightly," said the former Lanka skipper ahead of the day-night tie.
New Zealand have called up Darryl Tuffey from home as cover for Mills and the bowler is scheduled to join the team on the day of the match. But he cannot be part of the playing unit unless the injured Mills is ruled out of the tournament and his replacement is agreed to by the International Cricket Council.
Having raised expectations after his fastest ever World Cup century against England, Kevin O'Brien had a lean patch against India, West Indies and South Africa and it will be his one last chance on the big stage when he faces the Dutchmen.
Kevin reached the triple figure from 50 deliveries and his 63-ball 113 helped Ireland overtake England's formidable 327-8 with three wickets in the last over.
A contingent mostly of cricketers who play in the English county circuit, Ireland have been quick in the field while their bowling too has been disciplined.
Besides Kevin, their batting boasts of former English cricketer Ed Joyce at No 3 while the younger O'Brien brother Niall, who is also the wicketkeeper, has been in decent nick along with the spunky Gary Wilson in the middle-order.
Medium pacer John Mooney leads the bowling charts with eight wickets while the return of former captain and leading paceman Trent Johnston in their last match has boosted the pace attack along with lanky Boyd Rankin.
Left-arm spinner George Dockrell has been the find of the tournament as he provides an interesting spin option along with off-spinner Paul Stirling.
The presence of the Netherlands has provided some tense moments in group B as the Dutchmen, who have competed in three previous editions of the event.
Unlike the Irish, the Dutch are mostly a bunch of amateurs who work in 9-5 jobs but despite that they have had their share of some interesting moments.
The Netherlands scored a tall 292 for six against England in their first match before losing in the penultimate over and they had home favourites India 99 for 4 in a 190-run chase.
One of the professionals in the side, Ryan ten Doeschate who is their leading scorer with a century (vs England) and a half-century (vs Bangladesh) leads the batting line-up and will look to finish on a high.
In bowling, left-arm spinner Pieter Seelaar will enjoy bowling on the Eden 22-yard that offered uneven bounce in the previous game between Ireland and South Africa.
Having played the tough teams until now, they are looking to prove a point in terms of results.
"So far we've had a pretty difficult draw, we've come up against four top teams probably, on paper. Obviously it won't be easy against Ireland either.
"But you know we have played two good games against England and I think we competed well with India the other day," Borren said.
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