Preview: BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka

The BLACKCAPS can claim top seeding from the ICC World Twenty20’s Group C with a victory over old foes Sri Lanka in Johannesburg.

Both teams have qualified after wins at Kenya’s expense, but the New Zealanders especially will be determined to put one over the side that ended their hopes of the 50-over world title earlier this year.

The selectors have named the same 12-man squad that thrashed the Africans by nine wickets in Durban ahead of the resumption of rivalries with Mahela Jayawardene’s side.

"It's important to give our guys good game time as we have a reasonably hectic schedule, and we need to maintain that rhythm,” said coach John Bracewell.

The Sri Lankan batsmen were typically prolific with the bat in the competition opener, launching 260 for six against the wooden spoonists.

Jehan Mubarak, in particular, shone, with four sixes in one over and 46 from just 13 balls.

The outcome of the side will determine which second round the BLACKCAPS contest.

Either result, however, hands Daniel Vettori’s team a difficult assignment.

Victory hands them a Group E spot, alongside South Africa, England and Pakistan.

Defeat will place them alongside Australia, India and Bangladesh.

BLACKCAPS (from): Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Shane Bond, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Gareth Hopkins, Nathan McCullum, Craig McMillan, Chris Martin, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Bradley Scott, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Lou Vincent.

Sri Lanka (from): Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dilhara Fernando, Hasantha Fernando, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Jehan Mubarak, Dilruwan Perera, Chamara Silva, Upul Tharanga, Chaminda Vaas, Gayan Wijekoon.

BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka: Live scoring from BLACKCAPS.co.nz, starting midnight NZ time.