South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa 2019, Today Match Prediction 03 Mar 2019

n/a vs srl Match Prediction & Analysis

South Africa will be upset after their 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka in the test series. They will look to make amends for that defeat in the ODI series which will serve them as an ideal preparation for the World cup. Reeza Hendricks will partner Quinton de Kock as opening batsmen in the absence of Hashim Amla. Faf Duplessis, Van der Hussan and David Miller are expected to play an important role in the middle order. Andile Phehlukwayo had a memorable last series against Pakistan with his performances. Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and returning Lungi Ngidi will form the core of the pace bowling unit. Anrich Nortje is expected to make his debut at some point in this series. Experienced Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi are the spinners available in the squad. 

Sri Lankan team will be high on hopes after their stunning Test series victory which is in fact is the first time an Asian team won a test series in the South African soil. But, Sri Lanka team`s last bilateral ODI series victory came against Ireland in 2014. Their ODI form is awful and they want turn things before the all important World cup. Lasith Malinga returns to lead the side. Experienced players Upul haranga and Isuru Udana return to the national squad after a long time. Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella form the core group of the batting. Thisara Perera will be specialist all-rounder in the playing XI. New faces Kasun Rajitha and Vishwa Fernando are expected to play a key role after their success in Test arena. Akila Dananjaya returns to the team after his action is sorted out with ICC panel.

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Preview

Key Players:

• Quinton de Kock – De Kock had a good outing in the recent test series with three fifties in 4 innings which was an dismal series for the South African team. 
• Andile Phehlukwayo – Phehlukwayo established himself as No. 1 All-rounder for South Africa with his performance against Pakistan. He will look to impress the team management to secure a place in the playing XI for the World cup.     

Stats from their last ODI series:

• Rassie Van der Hussan  – 241 runs at an average of 120 & strike rate 76 (HS- 93, 50s -3)
• Andile Phehlukwayo – 8 wickets at an average of 24 & economy 5.1 RPO (BB-4/22)

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Faf du Plessis(C), Quinton de Kock (Wk), Reeza Hendricks, Russie Van Der Hussan, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Imran Tahir, Anrich Nortje, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Willem Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Faf du Plessis

Sri Lanka Preview

Key Players:

• Kusal Perera – Perera had an outstanding test series and he was awarded Man of the Series for his performance with the bat. He will look to replicate his form here.  
• Thisara Perera – Thisara Perera has been excellent player over the last 12-15 months and he was excellent in their last series against New Zealand. He is a player to watch out for both with the ball and bat.    

Stats from their last ODI series:

• Thisara Perera  – 224 runs at an average of 75 & strike rate 158 (HS- 140, 100s-1, 50s -1)
• Lasith Malinga – 7 wickets at an average of 31 & economy 7.2 RPO (BB-3/93)

 

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Lasith Malinga (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Upul Tharanga, Oshada Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Akila Dananjaya, Thisara Perera

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Akila Dananjaya, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis , Vishwa Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Thisara Perera, Oshada Fernando, Lasith Malinga

Weather Conditions

Johannesburg is an excellent batting pitch where batsmen usually enjoy batting with high scores. The shorter boundaries and fast outfield tilts the match more in their favor.  We can expect scores in the range of 300-320 runs here. No weather interruptions or delay is predicted for the match.

Toss: WIN the toss, BOWL First

No score is safe in Johannesburg with their smaller boundaries and faster outfield. Never forget the record chase of 438 runs here. Both teams will look to chase down the total set by the opposition team here.