Malinga fit to have a go

Elmo Rodrigopulle in West Indies

WORLD CUP: It’s going to be an enthralling Super 8 game when the unbeaten New Zealanders take on Sri Lanka at the Grenada National Stadium here in Guyana today.

New Zealand had a cake walk victory over Ireland and went top of the points table with 8 points. Australia the reigning champions also remain unbeaten and they too have 8 points. Sri Lanka has 6 points and South Africa 4 points.

The Sri Lankans who had a break of seven days, after their last game against England in Antigua, have not been taking it easy and have always been hard at practice, determined to stay focused in their endeavour to win their remaining three games.

Another triumph, either over New Zealand, Australia or Ireland should see them through to the semi-finals.

The consensus here is that Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa will contest the semi-finals. When New Zealand and Sri Lanka last met in a one-day series in Kiwiland, the series ended 2-all with the final game in Hamilton ending without a ball being bowled.

It all points to a no quarter asked or given game and it will be the team doing right things required in this ‘cowboy’ game who would come out victors. The Lankans in their preparations were given a scare when their pace ace Lasith Malinga suffered a leg injury and was seen hobbling around.

Not wanting to take a chance, the Lankan management flew him to Trinidad and Tobago where a scan and an x-ray was done and to the delight of the Lankans, no torn ligaments were revealed, and Malinga will play against the Kiwis.

In the series in New Zealand, not one of the Kiwi batsmen were comfortable against the fearsome pace of the slinger.

They just could not read him, and it is hoped that Malinga will let go and stuff the Kiwis.

The weather here is hot and humid and it will have a telling effect on the Kiwis, while the Lankans would not be unduly troubled.

The wicket is hard and dry and as usual will have that early morning moisture once the covers come off. It is the moisture, which makes it uneasy for the early batsmen that has prompted captains winning the toss to ask the opposition hit.

When putting a side in to bat, it is paramount that the side doing so get the opponents out for a paltry score. Not to do that but allow them a total of over 200 is to bring tremendous pressure on the side batting second, having to take risks.

The Kiwis, in addition to Malinga and Muttiah Muralitheran, also fear the blasting of opener Sanath Jayasuriya who took their bowlers to the cleaners on the previous tour. Another blast from the left hander could see Kiwis chasing leather.

Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardena and Chamara Silva must make it a point to continue their good run, while Kumar Sangakkara, who has not come good in the two previous games and Tillekeratne Dilshan and Russel Arnold must also make runs.

Chaminda Vaas can again be expected to make the early breakthrough for Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitheran and Sanath Jayasuriya to wrap up the Kiwis. The fielding should be brilliant.

The Kiwis will miss opener Lou Vincent, but have batsmen in Peter Fulton, skipper Stephen Fleming, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram and Brendon McCallum all capable batsmen. Bowling will be spearheaded by Shane Bond with Franklin, Oram and Vettori for support.

This game will have a bit of ‘revenge’ in it, because the Sri Lankans have still not got over the unsporting run out of Muralitheran that deprived them of winning the First Test in Christ church.

GRENADA, Wednesday