🏏ICC Men's T20I WC 2022: Super 12 - Group 1 - NZ vs SL - 29/10/22🏏- Page 2

Sri Lanka meanwhile are coming in with their confidence slightly dented no doubt by that defeat to Australia, while they've had a spate of injuries to their fast-bowling stocks to contend with as well. That said, much of their recent success has been built around their spinners and openers. As such, Wanindu Hasaranga will be hoping the SCG offers him a little more assistance as he looks to bounce back from that mauling in Perth. Sri Lanka will also be banking on Kusal Mendis getting a longer stint in the middle than last time out, though Sri Lanka assistant coach Naveed Nawaz has been backing Sri Lanka's middle order - which has been rather quiet this tournament thus far - to come good.

In Tim Southee and Trent Boult they have arguably the finest pace pairing in the tournament - one we should savour while can as Gnasher points out - while Mitchell Santner has been quietly ticking along taking 17 wickets from 12 T20Is this year, with an economy rate of 6.69 - as Fidel notes in his preview. Not only that, he's now being compared to New Zealand's greatest ever spinner, Daniel Vettori. Then there's the devastating Finn Allen and Devon Conway at the top with the returning Daryll Mitchell set to provide a middle order boost as well. Like I said. Well. Oiled.

For those awaiting an update from the stadium, good news as Gnasher has this to say: "Sky is clear blue, it's warm and should be a nice, mild evening as the sun sets. Decent smattering of Sri Lanka shirts and flags around the ground, certainly outnumbering New Zealand ones at the moment. Matches here have been dominated by the first innings so far - will be interesting to see what the captain winning the toss does. The short boundary is in the opposite direction to the opening match."

Marsh Devil: "Hope no rain today or else toss result will be as " Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to swim first""

Shakil Ahmad: "Except Captain Kane NZ batting looking very dangerous with opener Finn Allen is so explosive from the very beginning. Inclusion of Daryl Mitchell will also be fruitful for NZ. I think NZ has a better chance to go in the semi final from group -1. On Sydney surface it is going to be a run fest encounter."

Archie certainly not sitting on the fence: "This group is going to be fairly straightforward. If Eng beat NZ, they both qualify, else Aus and NZ qualify. Don't expect any more upsets here."

Rakesh Prattipa: "I want SL to win today. It will make this group so so much exciting. All teams will be in contention to reach semis with only 2 matches to play. "

Injuries have been a constant thorn for the Lankans and they lost their 6th player when Binura Fernando limped out in the very first over of the game against Australia. He was eventually ruled out of further participation and has been replaced by Asitha Fernando. Kasun Rajitha, himself an injury replacement should be first in the pecking order as Sri Lanka make further changes to their bowling front. Daryl Mitchell has passed fit for New Zealand and he should be back at 5, probably at the expense of Mark Chapman.

​In the context of all the washouts in Group 1, today's match couldn't be more significant, if it wasn't already. New Zealand got their Super-12 campaign off to a smashing start at this very venue exactly a week back, but they haven't had a glimpse of cricket since then, with their match against Afghanistan getting washed out at the MCG. They have good memories attached with Sydney and they'll look for the two points on offer tonight, which could put them comfortably on top of the group table. Sri Lanka are smarting after their rather big defeat against Australia in Perth, but rain, upsets and washouts have ensured that this group is still finely balanced. SCG should be the ideal pitch for their spin oriented strategy which came a cropper at the Optus Stadium. A good batting pitch with a bit of help for the bowlers as well, no rain in the horizon and we could have a cracking game of cricket.

Pitch Report | Mel Jones and Dale Steyn - We have moved across a couple of pitches and that means there will be one short boundary and one massive boundary. The pitch itself is an absolute belter, looks very similar to the previous two games played over here. The captain winning the toss will look to bat first

New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bat.

Dasun Shanaka - We would have batted first as well, but we have chased well and not too disappointed at all. The batting unit will have to get runs and we do have the bowlers. One change for us - Binura Fernando is replaced by Kasun Rajitha

Kane Williamson - We will bat. Looks like a good surface, we have played once before and we did well. It's nice to be back after a while, we have different oppositions at different conditions during this tournament. One change - Daryl MItchell replaces Mark Chapman

Toss time! 🤣😍😄❤️

New zealand have won toss and

Have opted to bat

Good luck both teams

Cracking game about to starts in 26 minutes under Blue sky! 👌👍😘