Vettori wary of Sri Lanka
New Zealand have to deal with highly skilled Sri Lankan opponents and an ongoing furore over ball-tampering to book their semi berth.
New Zealand have two potential problems as they bid to book their World Twenty20 place today - highly-skilled Sri Lankan opponents and an ongoing furore over ball-tampering.
The latter is largely a controversy of their own making, after they queried the state of the ball during Umar Gul's record-breaking and match-winning spell of five for six against them at The Oval on Saturday.
The only thing they can do about the former, though, is to prepare as well as possible to combat the wiles of spinners Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan - and the pace of Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara.
Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori did all he could to silence the mutterings over ball-tampering, insisting in a placatory press conference that New Zealand have heard and accepted the opinions of match officials that there was nothing untoward with the state of the ball against Pakistan.
As for the challenge that lies ahead, Vettori is well aware of the high stakes - and the difficulties.
After a briefing from Mendis' Indian Premier League colleague Brendon McCullum - a key component of the New Zealand team, who may yet be absent today because of a finger injury - Vettori and Co are hoping they can deal with the mystery spinner.
"I think set batsmen are the key to that," he said.
"Where these guys are so effective is coming in against new batsmen.
"If we lose wickets to Mendis and Murali through those middle stages then new guys who haven't seen them before are going to be put under a heap of pressure.
"So if we can be none or one down when they come on to bowl it's going to make a massive difference."
Vettori is mindful too, though, of the threat posed by Sri Lanka's batsmen.
"(Mahela) Jayawardene played really well in the last game - but (Tillakaratne) Dilshan and (Sanath) Jayasuriya have been the key.
"Dilshan is a good example of a player who has improved so much.
"He was amazing in the IPL - he's been in fantastic form for a long time. He's turned himself into one of the most dangerous players."
New Zealand are hoping to have one of their own major players back soon, with fast bowler Shane Bond's decision to hand in his Indian Cricket League contract paving the way for him to return to the international fold after 18 months out.
For Sri Lanka, the concerns are more immediate.
They could go out of the competition today, despite having won every one of their previous matches.
Senior batsmen Jayawardene is confident they will rise to the occasion.
"You need game-plans for every five overs and create opportunities for guys to achieve," he said.
"Everyone knows exactly what their job is as we go along.
"Everyone is now getting into the groove.
"We have played some really good cricket and we are very confident with the way we are going. We must continue to do the simple things - and other guys will come into the party as well."
Approaching milestones
- Sanath Jayasuriya (477) requires 23 runs to complete his 500 runs in Twenty20 Internationals. He would be the first to achieve the distinction for Sri Lanka.
- Brendon McCullum (679) needs 21 runs to become the first player to complete 700 runs.
- Tillakaratne Dilshan (173) requires 26 runs to become the first batsman to complete 200 runs in the ICC World Twenty20, 2009.
Head to Head
The two countries have played three games. Sri Lanka have won two and New Zealand 1.
Last encounter
Sri Lanka (168-3) beat New Zealand (164-7) by 7 wickets at Johannesburg on September 15,2007
New Zealand's overall record is: Played: 25, Won 10 and Lost 13 & Tied: 2
Sri Lanka's overall record is: Played: 17, Won 12 and lost 5.
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