Sydney, Feb 6 (IANS): The challenge for Sri Lanka in the World Cup will be how they cope with conditions in Australia and New Zealand, former Indian captain Rahul Dravid said Thursday.

"The last two World Cups have been in the West Indies and India, so the conditions have suited them a little bit more. I think this could be their big challenge, the conditions and how they cope with it," Dravid was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

The right-handed bat, who has scored 10,889 runs in One-Day Internationals, also voiced concern about pacer Lasith Malinga's fitness as he believes his inclusion is critical for the Lankan bowling at the death.

"He's so critical to their side because one of the areas where Sri Lanka would struggle would be in bowling at the death. If you remove Malinga from that line-up and you look around, you don't really see anyone else (who can bowl at the death)," added Dravid.

Sri Lanka face co-hosts New Zealand in the opener Feb 14.