By: Tarish Bhatt
This is what we were all waiting for, isn’t it? The World Cup is set to commence and co-host New Zealand are set to lock horns with the former champions Sri Lanka in the opening encounter at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
Where to watch World Cup match online live streaming
The New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match is scheduled for a 22:00 GMT (03:30 IST) start, with live streaming option HERE for India viewers. Star Sports network will telecast the match in India. Live score updates are available HERE and HERE. In Australia, FOX Sports will telecast the match live, with live streaming option HERE. Viewers can also watch the action live online HERE. Sky Sports will broadcast the game in the United Kingdom with live streaming option HERE.
New Zealand are in a lethal form right now, after winning three back-to-back series and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they manage to throw some shocking results this time around. Right from the top-order to the tailenders, the Black Caps are one scary side.
Playing at home is certainly a big plus for the Kiwis and they would want to seize the advantage of having an in-form team and familiar conditions against the Islanders.
New Zealand’s hopes would be pounding upon skipper Brendon McCullum, along with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, while the bowling department features the likes of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Adam Milne.
“We knew the expectation would rise so we were able to deal with that a while ago,” McCullum said. “One thing we discussed a lot is being really stable emotionally ourselves. The game has its ups and downs anyway without us adding our own ups and downs.”
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, would not be taking the field as a confident unit, after losing against Zimbabwe in the practice match. It would require a colossal effort from skipper Angelo Mathews to lift the side in the curtain raiser.
It is a catch-22 situation for Lanka as the Christchurch pitch is expected to be full of runs and team batting first would certainly get benefit. But, lately Lanka has struggled against quality pace attack and the Black Caps pace attack is in fine form.
“If it’s a good wicket, we’ll try and bat first,” Mathews said. “We’ve got the bowling to try and stop the opposition, but if we have to bowl first, we’ve got the experience in our batting lineup.”
New Zealand: (probable): Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (c), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Luke Ronchi (wk), Corey Anderson, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Adam Milne and Trent Boult.
Sri Lanka (probable): Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews (c), Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath and Lasith Malinga.
