5 World Cup warm-up matches to watch out for
The 2015 Cricket World Cup is just a few days away and the warm-up matches in the lead up to the main competition have already begun. While these games hold no significance in terms of rankings, they do provide one final chance for teams to iron out their weaknesses and give them a clear idea, as to who will be part of the XI on the day of the main games.Despite the fact that these managers are given only unofficial status, there are still some extremely mouth-watering matches in store prior to the main competition that begins on February 14.Here's a look at 5 warm-up matches to look forward to in the upcoming week.
#5 Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Christchurch
Sri Lanka will take on Zimbabwe on Wednesday. The Lankan Lions had a terrific 2014 in 50-over cricket, winning the Asia Cup and beating England both away and home. But their start to 2015 hasn't been the greatest, losing the ODI series to New Zealand on away territory.
Their batting will once again revolve around the experienced duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, both of whom will be appearing in their final World Cups. The two will be supported by their captain Angelo Mathews and the likes of Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal will also need to step up their game.
The bowling will be bolstered tremendously by the return of two key bowlers – Lasith Malinga and Sachitra Senanayake and together with Rangana Herath and Nuwan Kulasekara, they do boast of a balanced bowling attack.
Their opponents for the day, Zimbabwe, don't quite possess the type of players of the quality of the Flower brothers or Heath Streak. Their captain Elton Chigumbura will have to play key role with both bat and ball and he will surely want support from the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenayari and the rest of their side is to pull off an upset in one of the upcoming games.