The final stages of the World Cup have been a bet-maker’s disaster ever since Pakistan beat Australia in their group match. Soon after, the Kiwis got the better of South Africa and that leaves them facing Sri Lanka to win a shot at making it to the title-decider.
Sri Lanka destroyed England in the quarter finals and they look the most convincing side of the 4 that remain. But will they have it easy against New Zealand?
Most runs scored
The Lankan openers put on their second double-century stand of the world cup and that Sri Lankan top order looks extremely hard to remove. But the problem still remains in the fact that not much of their batting has been seen after Jayawardene and the tail is very long.
New Zealand have found ways to click, though. The top4 are in good form and the middle and lower order has done well so far. But it will be a different story against Sri Lanka’s spin bowling.
Available odds: Sangakkara @ 4.00; Dilshan/Tharanga @ 4.33; Jayawardene @ 6.00; McCullum/Guptill/Ryder/Taylor @ 5.00; How @ 7.00
that_guy’s picks: Sangakkara @ 4.00; Taylor @ 5.00
Most wickets
Sri Lanka went with 3 spinners against England and that seems to be the way they will go against New Zealand as well. 30 overs of world class spin bowling and a few more from the part-timers will be extremely tough for New Zealand to handle and it will be interesting how they cope.
New Zealand have managed extremely well with their bowling department which has seen injury after injury in this campaign. Southee has led very well from the front and Jacob Oram has been an absolute miser. McCullum, Franklin, Styris, Ryder and Vettori- New Zealand have their own brand of slow bowling and with that Sri Lankan batting which- effectively- ends at number 7, New Zealand will know they have a good chance of yet another upset.
Available odds: Malinga @ 3.00; Muralitharan @ 4.50; Mendis/Kulasekara/Herath @ 5.50; Vettori @ 3.75; Â Southee @ 4.00; Oram @ 5.00; McCullum @ 5.50
that_guy’s picks: Muralitharan @ 4.50; McCullum @ 5.50
Match result
New Zealand have made this category very tough to analyze! But, despite their recent form, the fact that they’re up against quality spin and the fact that Dilshan and Tharanga can pretty easily kill that bowling line-up at the top AND, furthermore, the fact that I’m a gutsy dog, I say Sri Lanka will win this one.
Available odds: Sri Lanka @ 1.33; New Zealand @ 3.25
that_guy’s pick: Sri Lanka @ 1.33
[All odds taken from 888sport]