New Zealand's big test to reach semis after four consecutive losses    

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Devon Conway has odds of 4.02 to be the best batsman for New Zealand.  
• Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka share odds of 4.26 to be Sri Lanka's best batsman. 
• Trent Boult has odds of 3.48 to be New Zealand's best bowler.  
• Dilshan Madushanka has odds of 3.75 to be the best bowler for Sri Lanka.  

MATCH PREVIEW     

We are at the business end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. New Zealand will take on Sri Lanka in the 41st game, a do-or-die game for the Kiwis. Their odds have dropped after four consecutive losses. They bowled poorly in the last game against Pakistan to lose after posing a massive total. Sri Lanka is already out of contention for the semifinal after losing against Bangladesh in the previous game. The Lankans will look to end the tournament on a high. Most cricket betting sites saw the New Zealanders as one of the top contenders for the title, and it will be interesting to see if they can win this one by a considerable margin and reach the next round.  

New Zealand Preview      

Kane Williamson's side lost the last game under the DLS method by 21 runs against Pakistan. Batting first, they posted 401 runs on the board, but the bowlers looked completely closely till rain interrupted play. They have lost the last four in a row from winning the first four games. The campaign has come full circle, and Williamson and his men would eye a big win here to finish in the Top 4. They have won the last seven games against Sri Lanka, and the side will take inspiration from those wins.   

Rachin Ravindra has hit three hundreds in the tournament and will look to deliver a good start in this game along with Devon Conway. Williamson played a brilliant knock in his comeback game, making it a solid middle order with Darryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman. They will look to build partnerships and build a platform for Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, and Tom Latham to add quick runs down the order.  

The Kiwi bowling attack has had troubles in the last four games, which will concern the team management. They conceded 200 runs in 25 overs in the previous game. The side will need a good spell with the new ball from Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Santner and Ish Sodhi must use the conditions well in the middle overs. Phillips, Ravindra, and Mitchell will look to do well in the supporting role.  

Expected Starting XI for New Zealand     

Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult 

Sri Lanka Preview     

Kusal Mendis' side lost to Bangladesh by three wickets in the last game. The game will be more remembered for the controversy than the final result, as the Lankans failed to capitalize on the opportunities that came their day. As they take the field for the last time in this tournament, Mendis and his boys would look for a win to give their fans something to cheer about.  

Pathum Nissanka has batted well in the tournament and will look to deliver a good start with Kusal Perera. Sadeera Samarawickrama has been one of the team's rare positives. He will look to add runs in the middle order with Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka, who scored a hundred in the last game. Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Maheesh Theekshana must use the long handle to take the side to a big total.     
 
Dilshan Madushanka has been the find for the side in this tournament. He will look to bowl tight spells with Maheesh Theekshana. Dushmantha Chameera and Kasun Rajitha haven't been consistent, and they need to bowl tight spells in the middle overs. Matthews and de Silva must put their experience to good use in this game.   

Expected Starting XI for Sri Lanka     

Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dushan Hemantha, Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera 

TOSS: To Bowl First      

Most teams prefer to bat first here, but the weather conditions may call for DLS, as we had seen in the previous game. The side chasing the score has an advantage in such a situation. Both teams would like to play it safe here by opting to bowl first and restricting the opposition to a small total.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

The weather forecast isn't encouraging. The skies shall be overcast, and rain interruptions may occur in this game. The conditions will assist the bowlers who have struggled on this track. The side batting first shall need 350 runs on this surface to feel confident, going by the past results.   

OUR PREDICTION      

In this tournament, Sri Lanka has been inconsistent with the bat and the ball. They have a poor record against New Zealand, and it will take a lot of heart for them to win this game. New Zealand has lost a few close games in the tournament. They have their batsmen in good form, which adds to their advantage. New Zealand has an edge based on our ICC World Cup betting guide.  

Our Prediction is for New Zealand to win.