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New Zealand are set to square off against Sri Lanka in the respective sides' final league stage game in Bengaluru on Thursday, November 9. Both sides are in desperate need of a win for contrasting reasons.
A win will put the Kiwis in an excellent position to finish fourth on the points table and qualify for the semi-finals. The Lankans, on the other hand, will at least strengthen their chances to finish in the top eight and book their place for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
However, the talks ahead of this crucial encounter have been about the possibility of heavy showers in Bengaluru potentially washing out the contest. While such an event might work either way for Sri Lanka, who enter the game as firm underdogs, it will drastically reduce the Kiwis' chances of qualifying for the semi-final.
A washout will see both teams share a point, meaning the Blackcaps finish on nine points from as many games. In such an event, they will have to hope for Afghanistan and Pakistan (both teams on the same eight points as New Zealand) to lose their final outing to qualify for the semi-final.
Kane Williamson's outfit started the tournament with four consecutive wins and were among the favorites to win their first World Cup title. However, their form has slipped drastically with losses in their next four games, to find themselves in this predicament.
Considering they begin as overwhelming favorites against Sri Lanka, the Blackcaps will hope that the weather gods do not play spoilsport to their chances in the tournament.
New Zealand are already coming off a defeat against Pakistan in a rain-shortened match that was decided by the D/L method.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are in a four-way gridlock with England, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands (all on four points), with two qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy based on the results of their respective final outings.
"Lots of things that we can't control and the weather is one of those" - Kane Williamson
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson remained unperturbed by the Bengaluru weather ahead of the crucial game against Sri Lanka.
Due to injury, the 33-year-old played only the Bangladesh game before returning to the side for New Zealand's previous encounter against Pakistan. He scored 79 and 95 in his two matches of the World Cup.
Ahead of the Sri Lanka clash, Willamson told reporters:
"We'll still have to very much see what the pitch is like. There's been a lot of weather around and it could look different tomorrow. There's lots of things that we can't control and the weather is one of those. There may be a thought in the back of your mind, but at the end of the day, our focus will be on the cricket that we want to play."
New Zealand have beaten Sri Lanka in seven consecutive ODIs, dating back to 2016, including a ten-wicket hammering in the 2019 World Cup.
Defeat in their previous game against Bangladesh eliminated Sri Lanka from semi-final contention.
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