COLOMBO, JULY 4: A down and out New Zealand face an uphill task of thrashing world champions Sri Lanka either by a huge margin or lesser number of overs tomorrow to qualify for the finals of Singer Akai Nidahas Independence Trophy here. With just four points from drawn encounters out of five matches played, New Zealand was beaten handsomely by hosts Sri Lankans in the first league outing in this rain marred three week tournament. India has booked a berth in the finals of the tri-nation series with six points and a healthy net run-rate of 0.32. Sri Lanka is sure to figure in the title clash as it also has six points from five matches and net run rate of 0.19. While New Zealand is way behind with minus 1.02.Teams
Sri Lanka: (from) Arjuna Ranathunga (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda De Silva, Roshan Mahanama, Muthaiah Murlitharan, Kumar Dharmasena, Romesh Kaluvitharana, Merwan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawaradane, Pramodaya Wickrasinghe, Niroshan Bandarathialake, Suresh Perera, Upul Chandana andAviska Gunawardane.
New Zealand: (from) Stephen Feeming, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Chris Cairns, Matthew Horne, Craig McMillan, Dion nash, Mark Priest, Daneil Vettori, Paul Wiseman, Adam Parore, Criag Spearman, Bryan Young and Alex Tait.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
