ODI World Cup 2023

Weather concerns looms large over high-stakes Sri Lanka-New Zealand World Cup clash

We are now at the business end of the ongoing ODI World Cup and the battle for semi-final qualification has intensified, with just one spot left to be claimed. Three teams – India, South Africa, and Australia – have already booked their tickets to the penultimate stage, leaving New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan locked in fierce competition for the final coveted position.. Every match carries immense weight, as each victory could be the difference between advancing to the knockout stage and facing elimination. 

New Zealand’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals hang in the balance as they face Sri Lanka in a must-win match. Even a victory is not a guarantee of a place in the knockout stages, as Pakistan and Afghanistan can also reach 10 points by the end of the group stage. However, New Zealand’s superior net run rate gives them an edge over their rivals. A defeat today would leave them at the mercy of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and they would need both teams to lose their remaining matches to have a chance of progressing.

New Zealand’s stunning reversal of fortunes after a dominant start has placed them in a perilous predicament. Their early quartet of resounding victories had fueled high hopes, but their subsequent quartet of defeats has cast a shadow of doubt over their prospects. Their campaign has also been marred by a series of unfortunate injuries, with key players Kane Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, and Matt Henry sidelined at different points in time. 

Adding insult to injury, the weather also played a cruel hand in their previous match against Pakistan at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Despite posting a score over 400 in the first innings, New Zealand’s hopes of victory were dashed by the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Kiwis Face Weather Woes Again

Unfortunately for the Kiwis, their game against Sri Lanka will take place at the same venue and the forecast for today’s match paints a gloomy picture. With a 78% chance of rain and a 47% likelihood of thunderstorms, the conditions are far from ideal for a full contest. Having already experienced the perils of inclement weather at this venue, the Kiwis will be hoping for a change of fortune this time around. 

The flat pitch and small boundaries at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will favour the consistent batting lineup of the New Zealand team. However, a rain-affected match could level the playing field, giving Sri Lanka a chance to compete. Therefore, New Zealand would prefer a full 50-over match to maximize their chances of victory. However, if the match is shortened due to rain, they will still want to play rather than have the points shared, which would put them at a disadvantage.