BLOEMFONTEIN - Faster is better for New Zealand's cricket team who have stuck with their all-out pace attack to try and blast out Sri Lanka in their World Cup opener tonight (NZ time).
Keeping to the effective formula of pace and bounce which helped finish off India, New Zealand today named
a four-pronged pace lineup of Shane Bond, Daryl Tuffey, Jacob Oram and Andre Adams.
It meant spinner Daniel Vettori was still awaiting his World Cup debut after sitting out the 1999 tournament, and also meant bad luck for Kyle Mills after an impressive home summer.
But it sent a clear challenge to Sri Lanka who haven't always dealt with the shorter ball on faster pitches away from home.
A relaxed New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was having nothing of his team's record of six losses from the last nine clashes with Sri Lanka.
"We're a much improved side since we last played them. The conditions that we find here suit us a little more than the subcontinent where we last met them," he said.
"I think we'll play accordingly. We're confident about the conditions we have, we're confident about the style we'll play."
The Goodyear Park pitch looked a flat one full of runs, renowned as the best batting surface in South Africa but likely to provide some pace and bounce.
New Zealand named a predictable batting lineup with Lou Vincent at No 6 and also wicketkeeping ahead of Brendon McCullum, with Chris Harris and Nathan Astle providing the slow bowling options.
Two men stand in the way of a New Zealand victory -- captain Sanath Jayasuriya and superspinner Muttiah Muralitharan, but Fleming said there wasn't any set plan to counter the man they call Murali.
"It's no secret how good a bowler he is. While we'd like a team strategy it's more about an individual philosophy.
"That's a challenge, and it's going to be key moments in the game when he's bowling."
Sound players of spin like Craig McMillan and Chris Cairns will no doubt look to move across and play square of the wicket for easy singles. Figures of none for 30 off 10 overs for Muralitharan would be a good result for the Black Caps.
Left-armer Chaminda Vaas will lead an attack not holding too many fears for New Zealand, although big scores have been a problem for an inconsistent batting unit in the past year. Just two centuries have been scored by New Zealand batsmen in that time by Astle and McMillan.
Fleming said, unlike the 1999 tournament in England where New Zealand surprised many by reaching the semifinals, they were no longer just the dark horses.
"We'd like to think we're a little bit better than that. We used to enjoy the underdog tag, but our ability within the side is now better than that.
"If we start this tournament well we'll be a genuine threat, but we have to start well and get on a roll."
The biggest hurdle for New Zealand could be nerves if they win the toss and bowl first, with Bond, Tuffey, Oram and Adams all playing the biggest match of their careers.
Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore said his side had the best possible buildup with a pre-Christmas series in South Africa then a tough tri-series in Australia with the hosts and England.
He rated New Zealand highly and said they were far better than when his team toured two years ago and won the one-dayers 4-1.
"New Zealand have developed a very good side, their squad is strong and they bat down. They no longer throw the ball to Vettori if they want a wicket.
"There are other options to attack and their fielding is very supportive. They're not an easy team to beat."
Warm weather in the mid-30degC range continued today after a fierce electrical storm last night. There are no reserve days for the pool matches so a rained-out match would further stiffen New Zealand's task to qualify.
Teams:
New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Scott Styris, Lou Vincent, Chris Harris, Jacob Oram, Andre Adams, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond.
Sri Lanka (from): Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Attapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Aravinda De Silva, Russel Arnold, Jehan Mubarak, Avishka Gunawardene, Hashan Tillakaratne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Prabath Nissanka, Charitha Buddhika (four to be omitted).
Umpires: Neil Mallender (England), Steve Bucknor (West Indies). Third umpire: Russell Tiffin (Zimbabwe).
- NZPA
World Cup schedule
Points table
BLOEMFONTEIN - Faster is better for New Zealand's cricket team who have stuck with their all-out pace attack to try and blast out Sri Lanka in their World Cup opener tonight (NZ time).
Keeping to the effective formula of pace and bounce which helped finish off India, New Zealand today named
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