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

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.

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