<p>Having established themselves as early favourites for a semifinal spot from Group B in the Champions Trophy with their comprehensive 55-run win over South Africa, Sri Lanka were cut to size at the Wanderers on Friday by an England side that cashed in on familiar conditions.<br /><br />Consequently, the Lankans now face themselves in a must-win situation when they take on New Zealand, again at the Wanderers, in their final league fixture on Sunday. Victory will all but secure a semifinal berth; defeat almost certainly means early elimination.<br /><br />“It’s not as if we haven’t been in similar situations in the past,” said Kumar Sangakkara, adding, “We have handled such pressures quite well too.”<br /><br />The game is crucial for the Kiwis too. Overpowered by the hosts in their opener, New Zealand need to win to keep their chances alive, and will welcome a move away from the sub-continental type of track that proved their undoing in Centurion against South Africa.<br /><br />Sri Lanka have been let down by their two most experienced players, the 40-year-old Sanath Jayasuriya and international cricket’s most prolific wicket-taker, Muttiah Muralitharan. With scores of 10 and nought, Jayasuriya must be feeling the heat, particularly at this late stage in his career. <br /><br />Murali has figures of one for 106 from 18 overs in the tournament, including one for 60 in the defeat to England in a game where the Lankans missed a trick by not playing the extra seamer.<br /><br />The supremely pacer-friendly surfaces at the Wanderers will test the Lankans’ character, as much as anything else. With Ian Butler almost certain to return to the playing eleven after recovering from a stomach bug, Shane Bond will not necessarily have to plough a lone furrow, further highlighting the magnitude of the task that lies ahead of the Emerald Islanders.<br /><br />On paper, the overwhelming psychological edge lies with Sri Lanka, who not so long back toyed with Daniel Vettori’s side in Tests and one-dayers back home. That might have counted for something if this game was at Centurion. Considering it is not, the contest assumes a whole new dimension.<br /><br />New Zealand’s top-order had come a cropper in Sri Lanka and did precious little against South Africa on Thursday to suggest it is on the mend. With so much on the line, Sunday will hardly be a classic, though it should make for compelling viewing.</p>
<p>Having established themselves as early favourites for a semifinal spot from Group B in the Champions Trophy with their comprehensive 55-run win over South Africa, Sri Lanka were cut to size at the Wanderers on Friday by an England side that cashed in on familiar conditions.<br /><br />Consequently, the Lankans now face themselves in a must-win situation when they take on New Zealand, again at the Wanderers, in their final league fixture on Sunday. Victory will all but secure a semifinal berth; defeat almost certainly means early elimination.<br /><br />“It’s not as if we haven’t been in similar situations in the past,” said Kumar Sangakkara, adding, “We have handled such pressures quite well too.”<br /><br />The game is crucial for the Kiwis too. Overpowered by the hosts in their opener, New Zealand need to win to keep their chances alive, and will welcome a move away from the sub-continental type of track that proved their undoing in Centurion against South Africa.<br /><br />Sri Lanka have been let down by their two most experienced players, the 40-year-old Sanath Jayasuriya and international cricket’s most prolific wicket-taker, Muttiah Muralitharan. With scores of 10 and nought, Jayasuriya must be feeling the heat, particularly at this late stage in his career. <br /><br />Murali has figures of one for 106 from 18 overs in the tournament, including one for 60 in the defeat to England in a game where the Lankans missed a trick by not playing the extra seamer.<br /><br />The supremely pacer-friendly surfaces at the Wanderers will test the Lankans’ character, as much as anything else. With Ian Butler almost certain to return to the playing eleven after recovering from a stomach bug, Shane Bond will not necessarily have to plough a lone furrow, further highlighting the magnitude of the task that lies ahead of the Emerald Islanders.<br /><br />On paper, the overwhelming psychological edge lies with Sri Lanka, who not so long back toyed with Daniel Vettori’s side in Tests and one-dayers back home. That might have counted for something if this game was at Centurion. Considering it is not, the contest assumes a whole new dimension.<br /><br />New Zealand’s top-order had come a cropper in Sri Lanka and did precious little against South Africa on Thursday to suggest it is on the mend. With so much on the line, Sunday will hardly be a classic, though it should make for compelling viewing.</p>
