New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Predictions - Black Caps to keep their Cricket World Cup dreams alive

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 06 Nov 2023

Ralph Staniforth 06 Nov 2023

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Watch New Zealand vs Sri Lanka in the Cricket World Cup on Thursday (10:30 SAST)
New Zealand have lost their last 4 games
Can the Black Caps give themselves a solid chance?

Expired

Rachin Ravindra is backed to score big again (Getty images)

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Preview

New Zealand must win to retain any hope of qualifying for the semi-finals. Despite four straight defeats, I am backing the Black Caps to get the result and force Pakistan to produce the magic against England later this week.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Preview
Head to Head
New Zealand Form
New Zealand Injuries & Team News
Sri Lanka Form
Sri Lanka Injuries & Team News

New Zealand have won their last 4 ODI matches against Sri Lanka.
New Zealand have lost their last 4 ODI matches.
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra scored 100+ runs in his last match.
Sri Lanka have lost 6 of their last 8 matches.
Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka scored 100+ runs in his last ODI match.

Head to Head

New Zealand have won their last four completed ODIs against Sri Lanka. The last fixture took place in March this year when the Black Caps won by six wickets.

New Zealand Form

New Zealand will be wondering how things got to this point. They are currently hanging onto the final semi-final spot but defeat here could put them in real danger of dropping out.

The Black Caps won their opening four games of the tournament, and everything looked to be going according to plan. Then it started falling apart and have now lost four on the bounce.

This is New Zealand’s final game and one they simply must win. Even that won’t guarantee them a semi-final berth as it could come down to net run rate as Pakistan face England later in the week.

The Black Caps will be terribly disappointed with their last result. Batting first they smashed their way to 401 runs in 50 overs. Rachin Ravindra top scored with 108 runs while Kane Williamson added 95.

The rain however shortened, leaving Pakistan 200 to win. The New Zealand bowlers just couldn’t find a decent length and were pummeled all over the part as they lost by nine wickets.

New Zealand Injuries & Team News

New Zealand have had terrible fortunes with injuries thus far. I don’t see them changing from the side that lost to Pakistan.

Sri Lanka Form

Sri Lanka would have been confident coming into the World Cup. They were in very strong ODI form and conditions in India should have suited them.

However, things have not gone well for the Sri Lankans. They have just two wins from their eight matches and currently reside in eighth place on the table with no hope of qualification for the semis.

Sri Lanka posted 279 runs in their last game against Bangladesh with Charith Asalanka scoring 108 runs. It wasn’t enough as Bangladesh chased the score down to win by three wickets.

Sri Lanka Injuries & Team News

With their hopes of the semi-finals dashed Sri Lanka may opt to give the squad players a run.

Verdict

New Zealand v Sri Lanka - World Cup

I am backing New Zealand to win with Rachin Ravindra to top score.

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