In our preview of the 2001 ICC Cricket World Cup we did highlight that, if they could avoid each other, both India and Sri Lanka had a great chance of going all the way. So far so good as both these teams have reached the semi final and are joined by Pakistan and the surprise team of the tournament New Zealand.
First Semi Final – 29rd March 2011
In the first semi final of this World Cup, Sri Lanka will play New Zealand in a day/night match at Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka have won the Cricket World Cup once before in 1996 when they beat Australia by 7 wickets while New Zealand have never played in a World Cup Final. They have however reached the semi finals on 5 occasions in 1975, 1979, 1992, 1999 and 2007. In 2007 they lost to Sri Lanka by 81 runs.
They have played against each other 73 times with New Zealand winning 35 times against Sri Lanka’s 33 wins with 1 match tied and 4 games not being finished.
They have played in the Group stages where Sri Lanka ran out a very comfortable victor by 139 runs.
New Zealand continue to surprise everyone but with 3 of the top 5 run scorers in the tournament so far in Dilshan, Sangakkara and Tharanga, the New Zealand bowlers will have to be at the top of their game to give themselves a chance. The most economical bowler in the tournament currently is Ajantha Mendis, only allowing 3.01 runs per over.
Sri Lanka will have a massive enthusiastic crowd behind them and this match must be theirs for the taking, ensuring their third appearance in the World Cup Final, while New Zealand will likely resign themselves to a sixth semi final loss.
Second Semi Final – 30th March 2011
The second semi final is also a Day/Night match and will be played at Mohali, India and it is between Pakistan and India.
Pakistan have won the Cricket World Cup on one occasion back in 1992 when they beat England by 22 runs, while India have also only ever won the World Cup once back in 1983 when they beat the West Indies by 43 runs.
On their head to head records they have played 119 One Day Internationals against each other with Pakistan winning 69 matches against India’s 46 with 4 non results.
This promises to be a great match and with the ground filled to capacity it surely will have a fantastic atmosphere with these two sub continent teams going head to head. Pakistan have had the one blip against New Zealand while India have lost to South Africa and tied with England. Sachin Tendulkar is the third top run scorer of the tournament so far behind Trott of England and Dilshan of Sri Lanka and a lot will be expected of this great cricketer. The leading wicket taker is currently Shahid Afridi with 21 wickets but in second place is Zaheer Khan with 17. Where ever you look these teams match up very closely and the winner may be the team that can handle the huge occasion the best. India are the choice to play Sri Lanka in the final, but whatever the result this match could be one to watch and enjoy, especially if you are a neutral.
Source
bbc.co.uk/cricket - 03/28/2011
Steve Boxall - I have written articles on Travel, Sport and History and currently I am Cricket's Feature Writer for Suite101.
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