New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Preview: Kiwis to begin charge towards maiden World Cup against Sri Lanka

New Zealand will be looking to go one better in this years World Cup starting with a win over Sri Lanka

New Zealand will be happy to fly under the radar as they prepare to begin their campaign for World Cup glory against Sri Lanka in Cardiff tonight. The Black Caps after six semi-final defeats reached the penultimate match in the last edition of the World Cup before being soundly beaten by Australia in Melbourne. Kane Williamson has replaced the swashbuckling Brendon McCullum as captain but the core of the team that came so close in 2015 remains the same. Since the last World Cup, New Zealand have risen as high as second in world ranking but have also been beaten at home by South Africa, England and India. New Zealand beat fancied India in their opening World Cup warm up match before being blown out of the park by West Indies. Ross Taylor has been in breathtaking form in recent years in the one-day game, averaging over 60 in ODIs in 2019 and more than 90 last year. Williamson, ranked 12th, and Martin Guptil, ranked 10th, are the other main dangermen for the New Zealanders with the blade. Then Trent Boult leads an impressive bowling attack, with Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee and Lachie Ferguson for company. Spinners Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santer offer useful variety. For the rise of New Zealand is the fall of Sri Lanka, who has fallen to 9th in world rankings, with the responsibility of lifting this side up falling to newly appointed captain Dimuth Karunaratne after a four year absence in one-day cricket. Despite their impressive World Cup record, one title, two runners-up finishes and a semi final appearance, they have lost eight of their past nine ODI's and are tipped by many to be rooted to the bottom of the table throughout the majority of the tournament. Sri Lanka has had the wool over the kiwis in World Cup matches and will be looking to extend their record against the Black Caps with a first up win. Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne will all have to play exceptionally well for Sri Lanka to expose hope of an upset at Sophia Gardens. WATCH OUT FOR - Martin Guptill

Martin Guptil is New Zealand's most potent attacking weapon

Martin Guptill, who is currently ranked 10th in the world in ODI cricket, is New Zealand's biggest threat with the bat. Much like Brendon McCullum before him, Guptill can blow opposition attacks out of the park before the power play is finished. One of only two players alongside Chris Gayle to have scored a World Cup double century, expect a big innings from Martin Guptill for the Kiwis to set up New Zealand's campaign. PREDICTION Sri Lanka’s team does not inspire a great deal of confidence and they will have to be at their very best to compete with New Zealand. The Blackcaps completely dominated their ODI series against them earlier this year and they will be confident of picking up another win here. Their general inactivity could be an issue and Sri Lanka’s best hopes will be in catching them cold in this opening match but it is hard to see many ways in which Sri Lanka can get the better of them and a win for Kane Williamson’s men is on the cards. New Zealand to win by 60-80 runs or 3-4 wickets STATISTICS HEAD TO HEAD ODI HEAD TO HEAD IN WORLD CUPS Matches: 99 Matches: 11 New Zealand: 48 New Zealand: 4

Sri Lanka: 41 Sri Lanka: 6

Tie: 1

WORLD CUP RECORDS

New Zealand

Matches: 80

Won: 48

Lost: 30

Best Result - Runners-Up (2015)

Sri Lanka

Matches: 74

Won: 35

Lost: 35

Tie: 1

Best Result - Winners (1996)

ODI Record since World Cup 2015: New Zealand

Matches: 77

Won: 43

Lost: 30

Sri Lanka

Matches: 86

Won: 24 Lost: 55