A battle of nerves on card as Sri Lanka take on New Zealand

St George's, Grenada, Apr 11: Odds are even as former champions Sri Lanka take on title contenders New Zealand in the Super Eight league match of the cricket World Cup here tomorrow.

The winners will book a semi-final berth and as things stand Sri Lanka, having played two close matches against South Africa -- which they lost -- and England -- which they won -- go into the contest with a hope to emerge triumphant.

New Zealand, which has yet to lose a match, will be facing a really tough opponent and their resolve to remain the only unbeaten team other than defending champions Australia will come under severe test at the National Stadium here.

The Kiwis have maintained a clean slate with a string of convincing victories so far but in the Lions, they will come up against a team that has the ability and experience to surprise the best.

Mahela Jayawardene's side has overcome the trauma of that narrow defeat to South Africa in the opening Super Eight game in Guyana, and are looking increasingly focused.

Talking to newspersons ahead of this crucial clash, Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming said, ''We have been finding the right people to step up for us, and we are looking at a place in the final. Sri Lanka are a dangerous side and we have a lot of respect for them, but we are here with a job to do.'' Though the New Zealanders have been hit by a series of injuries, they have managed to put together an effective combination. To Fleming's good fortune, his key man -- Shane Bond -- has stayed off the list of walking wounded. Bond is already the leading wicket-taker in the tournament and has put together a series of highly effective and economical spells.

For Sri Lanka, the match promises to be the sternest test yet.

The Lions came through the preliminary stage strongly, including a comprehensive win over India at Port of Spain, and know that two points from this game will seal their place in the semi-finals.

Essentially, the match will revolve around how best the Lankans tackle Bond and Vettori in particular. The latter broke his wicket-drought in this tournament with three scalps against Ireland in Georgetown and now gives his captain a threatening option behind the seam attack of Bond, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris and James Franklin. The difference between the two teams essentially lies here. The Lankans are dependent to a great extent on Chaminda Vaas, who is conspicuously slower than he ever was, Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan. The support attack has varied in composition with Dilhara Fernando and Farveez Maharoof swapping places frequently.

In terms of batting firepower, both sides are about evenly matched, but in Sanath Jayasuriya the Lions have a joker in the pack. The old warhorse has shown that his appetite for runs remains as keen as ever and backing him up is a classy line-up that includes the captain himself, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Chamara Silva.

The last named has emerged as an effective finisher for his team, though his form appears to have fallen away once into the Super Eights. Jayawardene also has the benefit of knowing that all their remaining Super Eight league games are to be played here. ''It gives us a big advantage, knowing that we will be playing all three matches here. It gives us a chance to get settled in and get used to the conditions,'' he had said.

Sri Lanka have the advantage of having come through two tight games -- the loss to South Africa and a cliff-hanger of a win over England in Antigua -- and Jayawardene is clear that he does not want a repeat of such games.

Still, it has hardened them considerably and there is nothing quite like having such testing games already behind.

In contrast, the Kiwis are yet to play a tight game and if the Lankans can put them under pressure, it could well make the difference on the day.

The Teams: Sri Lanka (From): Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Dilhara Fernando, Farveez Maharoof, Upul Tharanga, Lasith Malinga, Malinga Bandara, Chamara Silva, Nuwan Kulasekara New Zealand (From): Stephen Fleming (captain), Craig McMillan, Daniel Vettori, Scott Styris, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Hamish Marshall, Shane Bond, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Ross Taylor, Jeetan Patel, Michael Mason, Mark Gillespie, Christopher Martin Field Umpires: Billy Doctrove, Asad Rauf Third Umpire: Aleem Dar Fourth Umpire: Mark Benson Match Referee: Mike Procter

UNI