Cricket World Cup Betting Tips: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka betting tips: 

New Zealand’s 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign is in the balance ahead of their contest against Sri Lanka in Bangalore. 

The Black Caps seemed destined for a place in the knockout phase after winning their opening four matches. 

But, Kane Williamson’s men have since lost four on the bounce, including a defeat to Pakistan last time out via DLS despite scoring 401 with the bat. 

New Zealand are now in a three-way battle to secure a spot in the semi-finals with Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

Williamson’s return from injury against Pakistan was a welcome sight for the Black Caps, but there’s still plenty of work to do to book a place in the last four for the fifth tournament in a row. 

Sri Lanka are already eliminated from the competition and suffered a sixth defeat in eight matches after losing to Bangladesh in a game that was mired in controversy.  

Angelo Mathews became the first player to be timed out in the defeat as he took over the allocated two minutes to face his first delivery following an issue with his helmet. 

Sri Lanka failed to muster enough runs to prevent Bangladesh securing their second win of the tournament. 

Bookmakers have installed New Zealand as odds-on to triumph in Bangalore, but we've looked at other facets of the game with the Cricket World Cup odds for our game predictions.  

Ravindra’s star continues to rise 

Even if New Zealand fail to win the World Cup, and their odds have drifted significantly with new betting sites given their four-matching losing streak, they can take one positive away from the tournament. 

Rachin Ravindra had flashed his potential before the World Cup, but the 23-year-old has proven himself as a high-class operator under immense pressure at the top of the batting order. 

Only Quinton de Kock and Virat Kohli have scored more runs than the New Zealander.

The left-hander became the first New Zealand player to score three centuries at a World Cup when he notched his ton against Pakistan. 

It’s not only the amount of runs Ravindra has scored, the way he has accumulated them has been easy on the eye.

He is just scratching the surface of his potential and due to his form it’s hard not to see him adding more runs to his tally against Sri Lanka. 

Ravindra’s run line has been set at 32.5 by Unibet and we’re backing the over at evens. 

Will Madushanka cause New Zealand problems? 

Sri Lanka have had a disappointing World Cup campaign, winning only two of eight matches ahead of the contest with the Black Caps. 

But, just as New Zealand have unearthed Ravindra, Sri Lanka have found a gem of a bowler in the form of Dilshan Madushanka.  

The 23-year-old is the World Cup's leading wicket taker with 21 strikes in eight games, holding a narrow lead over Adam Zampa. 

Madushanka has been outstanding for his team, opening the bowling and taking key wickets on the way. 

He notched a career-best in Sri Lanka’s defeat to India, taking five for 80 and removing Kohli, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer in the process. 

Madushanka also impressed against Australia by taking the wickets of Steve Smith, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne.  

So, the Black Caps’ potent line-up will not faze the left-armer, and after taking eight wickets in his last two matches, he could be primed for another stellar outing. 

With our second bet, we’re taking odds of 3/1 with Betway for Madushanka to claim three wickets or more. 

Nissanka to rack up the boundaries 

Sri Lanka have received excellent performances from individuals, although the collective results of the team have not been good enough to qualify for the last four. 

Pathum Nissanka is a bright talent that has showcased his ability at the top of the order.  

Only Sadeera Samarawickrama has scored more runs than the 25-year-old in Sri Lanka’s line-up, and he ranks in the top 15 in the entire tournament.  

He has been consistent, averaging 47.14 with four fifties to his name. The only knock has been his inability to kick on and get a substantial score. Nissanka has impressed in racking up boundaries rather than strikes over the rope. 

Only five players have more fours than the Sri Lanka opener in the tournament. 

He scored eight fours in his knock of 46 against Bangladesh, and the over/under line from bet365 for Nissanka boundaries has been set at 3.5. 

We’re backing the over at 5/6 given Nissanka’s impressive tournament to date and the struggles of the New Zealand bowlers last time out against Pakistan. 

Simon Sinclair is an experienced sports journalist, who has written for national publications for football, cricket, NFL and many more. He contributes tips on a wide range of sports for The Independent.