Pitch Conditions: Sangakkara in his post match interview, described the wicket as ‘unfit’ for ODI’s. With an even cover of grass, the bowlers can expect some pronounced seam movement and good bounce. If the batsmen get in, they should make it count. It would be difficult for the new batsmen to play their strokes straightaway. The team winning the toss will be looking to bowl, and make early use of track to their advantage.

Temperature: Min-15c Max-26c Conditions: Bright Sunshine

Team updates:

New Zealand: The Kiwis head into the match knowing well that nothing short of a victory would keep them alive in the tournament. After an below par batting performance against the Proteas, they would be looking upto the likes of Jesse Ryder and the more experienced Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor to bring stability to the top order. Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey who are making their comeback into the one day side couldn’t have asked for a better wicket to bowl on. There will be plenty in the wicket for genuine fast bowlers and if they put the ball in the right areas, the pitch would do the rest. The Kiwis are expected to go into the game with an unchanged team.

Sri Lanka: The Lankan batsmen were all at sea against Anderson and company on a seamers paradise at the Wanderers in their previous game. Having had the feel of the wicket the Lankans would know what it takes to bat in seamer friendly conditions. The top order needs to get its act together and it wouldn’t be easy to play shots right from the outset. Except for Jayasuriya, all the other batsmen have been in good nick, so its time for the ‘Matara Mauler’ to explode. This game is like a virtual quarter-final for both sides, so some exciting cricket will be in the offing. Let the games begin!

Numbers Game:

5: The number of ODI fifties scored by Sangakkara against New Zealand in the last 5 years.

14.09: Brendon McCullum’s batting average in ODI’s against Sri Lanka. He has managed to score just 155 runs in 12 innings against Sri Lanka.

Sound Bytes:

Sangakkara: The wicket wasn’t the best advertisement for one day cricket, but its all about being flexible. We have learnt from our mistakes and are raring to go here.

Vettori: Yet another must win situation for us, I can’t recollect how many times we have been in this situation before in big tournaments. If we don’t win here, then we would have to do some serious soul searching.

Teams:

New Zealand (From): Brendon McCullum(w), Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Neil Broom, James Franklin, Daniel Vettori(c), Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, Gareth Hopkins, Jeetan Patel

Sri Lanka (From): Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara(w/c), Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Thilina Kandamby, Angelo Mathews, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dammika Prasad, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera