Mendis in, as Srilanka opt to bat first

Agencies

Mumbai, 18 March 2011: Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara on Friday won the toss and elected to bat first against in-form New Zealand side at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

 

New Zealand has made two changes in their playing eleven with Hamish Bennett coming in for Kyle Mills. Sri Lanka are going in with three seamers - Kulasekara, Malinga and Angelo. Mendis also comes in as a second spinner.

 

It is an important match for both the teams as a positive result could assure them a top-two finish in Group A and a potentially more comfortable quarter-final opponent from Group B.

 

 

New Zealand have emerged as the tournament’s dark horses, winning their past three matches, including an emphatic 110-run victory against the talent-packed but unpredictable Pakistan.

 

On the other hand Sri Lanka have cantered to easy wins over Canada, Kenya and Zimbabwe but lost to Pakistan and saw their much-anticipated clash against Australia abandoned due to rain.

 

Teams:

 

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara(w/c), Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan

 

New Zealand: Ross Taylor(c), Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum(w), Jesse Ryder, Kane Williamson, Scott Styris, James Franklin, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Hamish Bennett