<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to field against Sri Lanka on Thursday as they make a last push for a World Cup semi-final berth with rain threatening to play spoilsport.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The Kiwis have lost four straight matches and made one change from their previous defeat to Pakistan in a rain-hit game at the same venue in Bengaluru last weekend.</div><div><br></div><div>Fit-again fast bowler Lockie Ferguson comes in for leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.</div><div><br></div><div>"A little bit of weather around. A few unknowns," said Williamson.</div><div><br></div><div>"Our focus has been on the type of cricket we want to play. Hopefully we can make a few improvements on past performances."</div><div><br></div><div>The Kiwis remain slight favourites in the hunt for the remaining semi-final spot as they have a better run rate than rivals Pakistan and Afghanistan.</div><div><br></div><div>Victory in the match and defeats for Pakistan and Afghanistan will take them clear on 10 points and into the semis, but a loss will leave their fate out of their hands.</div><div><br></div><div>Table-toppers India, South Africa and Australia have already booked their places in the final-four of the 10-team tournament.</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka, led by Kusal Mendis, are already out of the semi-final race but have Champions Trophy qualification on the line.</div><div><br></div><div>The top seven teams from this World Cup will gain entry into the 2025 tournament where hosts Pakistan will have automatic qualification.</div><div><br></div><div>The teams are still hurting from the "timed out" dismissal -- the first in international cricket history -- for Angelo Mathews in their previous loss to Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Mendis said New Zealand "is a calm team" when asked about their previous ill-tempered encounter with Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne takes the place of fast bowler Kasun Rajitha.</div><div><br></div><div>Teams:</div><div><br></div><div>New Zealand: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (capt), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (wkt), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (capt/wkt), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka</div><div><br></div><div>Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (RSA), Joel Wilson (WIS)</div><div><br></div><div>TV Umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)</div><div><br></div><div>Match Referee: Javagal Srinath (IND) - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>