Dinesh Chandimal declared fit to play:

Lankans will have to play from out of their skins

Kiwis a strong all round side:

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from England

Sri Lanka will have to play from out of their skins if they are to beat New Zealand and stay in the hunt for the ICC Champions Trophy when thy front up in a Group ‘A’ match at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, here today. According to manager and former SSC cricketer Michael de Zoysa and son of the famous leg-spinner Lucien, everything is tickety boo with the team, spirits high with the only worry being the groin strain suffered by Dinesh Chandimal. Chandimal did not have a bat against the West Indies.

But the medical team has declared him fit to play, which according to the manager is a great relief. The Lankans have still not decided on their playing eleven, but will do so, as usual after a look at the wicket and the conditions.

Second best in two games

The Lankans preparations were not what it should have been. Their first warm-up game was washed off against Pakistan and they were second best in the next two games to India and West Indies.

But still if they believe in themselves and do the basics right in this style of game, there is no reason why they should not pip the Kiwis.

Self belief is what they need and then the pieces will fall right. On form the New Zealanders who won the one-day series 2-1 against England will take the field favourites.

They have been in England for long now, playing Two Test matches and Three One-Day Internationals and are quite at home playing here.

However winning of the toss will play an important part for either team. Winning the toss batting first and putting pressure on the side chasing with a formidable total is important.

In the India-South Africa game on the same ground the two captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni of India and Abraham de Villiers were both fooled by the even grass cover on the wicket and were keen to bowl first.

South Africa won the toss and put India in and how they chased leather with India running up a massive 332 for 7.

The grass did not help the bowler and De Villiers was to rue his decision in asking India in when they lost the game by 26 runs.

Presents a similar picture

The wicket for today’s game will present a similar picture and it is hoped that if the Sri Lankan sipper Angelo Mathews wins the toss he will choose to bat and get his batsmen to pile on the runs so that his bowlers could pile on the agony on the New Zealand batsmen.

The Lankans have been hard at training and have been watching how the New Zealanders play and probably would be having a game plan to execute.

If they could exert pressure on the Kiwis they could unsettle them. When Sri Lanka bats, it is vital that the veterans Tillekeratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayewardene and Kumar Sangakkara make it their business to score big.

They have been in the cauldron of this game and should know their responsibilities by the team.

Curb his impetuosity – a head Young opener Kushal Janith Perera who is already being spoken about as another Sanath Jayasuriya, has it in him to emulate the great man. But he is just beginning and if he could curb his impetuosity, should prosper.

Skipper Angelo Mathews has an all round role to play and inspire his team.

In addition to his prowess with the bat and ball, he must lead from the front and by example.

All eyes will also be on young vice captain Dinesh Chandimal. It is not known whether he will keep wickets or the selectors would prefer to glove Sangakkara. But he will have a batting role to shoulder.

Malinga must strike

As for the bowling, it is not likely that Lasith Malinga will be given one of the new balls.

But when he does take the leather, how he goes will decide the destinies of the game for Sri Lanka.

As for New Zealand, the man the Lankan bowlers must have early is the dashing Martin Guptil.

He rattled up two centuries against England and is in good nick.

He can be dangerous if he gets going. Veterans Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor along with Kane Williamson and with Luke Ronci and James Franklin could also make valuable runs.

While the Kiwi batting is not explosive it is their bowling and excellent fielding that has always risen to the occasion. In Tim Southee, Michell McCheughan, Kyle Mills, James Franklin they have good new ball bowlers. The spin is the safe hands of off spinners Kane Williamson and Nathan McCullum. Cardiff, Saturday