DHAKA: New Zealand batsmen are facing Sri Lankan bowlers in the opening match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at Hagley Oval ground at Christchurch on Saturday.

The match started at 4:00am Bangladesh time after Lankan captain chose to bowl first as won toss.

The New Zealand team has spruced up its cricket machine one part at a time over the past few weeks, bossing matches from the start at times, roaring back to win them at others, and now their public is as primed for the big event as they.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s hope for the World Cup has not burst entirely, but it is spluttering about the room, deflating quickly. Wednesday’s ignominious loss to Zimbabwe in a warm-up match was the final ill omen for many.

However, they have two legendary batsmen--Kumar Sangakkara, and Mahela Jayawardene--who are capable of changing the course of match at any moment including Lasith Malinga and Rangana Herath in bowling.

Sangakkara is only 12-run away to be the highest run aggregator in One Day International matches seconding only to Sachin Tendulkar.

On the other hand, New Zealand have star performers like Kane Wiliamson, Ross Taylor and B McCullum in batting and Boult, Milne and Southee in bowling.

Over all, the spectators are expecting a fight tooth and nail in the opening match of the ICC World Cup 2015.

Form guide

New Zealand:WWLWW (last five matches, most recent first)

Sri Lanka: WLLLW
 
Sri Lanka Squad:

TM Dilshan, HDRL Thirimanne, KC Sangakkara†, DPMD Jayawardene, AD Mathews*, FDM Karunaratne, BMAJ Mendis, KMDN Kulasekara, RAS Lakmal, HMRKB Herath and SL Malinga.

New Zealand Squad:

BB McCullum, MJ Guptill, KS Williamson, LRPL Taylor, GD Elliott, CJ Anderson, L Ronchi†, DL Vettori, TG Southee, AF Milne and TA Boult.

BDST: 0424 HRS, FEB 14, 2015