Sri Lanka prepare for New Zealand challenge with unchanged T20I squad
Sri Lanka have named a strong 16-member squad led by Charith Asalanka for a six-match white-ball series involving three T20Is followed by three ODIs, against New Zealand.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and chose to bat first against England in the final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at Lord’s, London on Sunday.
The match was delayed by 15 minutes due to wet outfield.
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Both teams are unchanged and are looking to lift their first ever ODI World Cup trophy.
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“We’re having a bat. Tough decision. A bat-first surface, but the overhead conditions do make it confusing. We have a job first up with the bat. We’re playing the same team. The semi was a tough scrap for both sides, but we’re happy we got across the line in that game. Always backing Guptill with the bat. He’ll go and play with the freedom. Our team has played with a lot of heart and fight and has gotten us across the line so many times. A number of parts that are different from the 2015 final, different personnel, but any experience is a positive to learn from. It’s a different day and anything can happen. Winning will be incredibly special, but before that we need to play some good cricket,” said Williamson after winning the toss.
England skipper Eoin Morgan said: “It was a 50-50 call. The overheads will lean towards the ball. Whichever side plays better will lift the trophy. Jonny is fully fit, and we’re playing the same XI. The strongest part in Edgbaston was our bowling. If we can put our ball in the areas early on today, we are in with a great chance. I’m extremely proud. Everyone has put in the hardwork over the last four years. We have embraced pressure throughout the tournament, and the semi-final epitomized that.”
Here are the Playing XI of both the teams:
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, James Neesham, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson
England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (captain), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
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