South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa 2019, Today Match Prediction 10 Mar 2019

n/a vs srl Match Prediction & Analysis

South Africa team is back to their best after a disappointing Test series loss against Sri Lanka. They have chance to win the series this match and give chance to players in the bench. Quinton de Kock and Faf Du Plessis have been scoring runs consistently and are in sublime form. There is very little contribution from other batsmen. They need to step up in their run up to the World cup. Imran Tahir and Lungi Ngigi are excellent with the ball bowling with good precision and control. Debutant Anrich Nortje was impressive in the both the ODIs with his pace and accuracy. Kagiso Rabada looked tired in the first ODI but came back strongly in the second ODI with a three wicket haul. They still need find their fifth bowler cum all-rounder slot in the playing XI. 

Sri Lankan team`s ODI woes seems to be getting bigger and bigger with every match. Skipper Malinga has called publically for players to utilize the opportunities provided to them and show more intent. They were bowled out for 231 and 138 runs in the two ODIs played. Their batsmen don’t move ahead of 30s and 40s and seem to be struck on it. Kusal Mendis and Oshando Fernando made some vital contributions but were not enough to get their team to a decent total. Lasith Malinga and Thisara Perera were good with the ball but were not incisive to get wickets. Akila Dananjaya has made a good comeback into the team after his suspension. Rests of bowlers are erratic and leak runs at a high economy rate. Sri Lanka needs to sort their team as early before the World cup arrives.

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Preview

Key Players:

Faf Du Plessis – The Skipper has been in good form recently with scoring a century and fifty in this series. He needs to motivate batsmen at other end to perform in the middle. 

Imran Tahir – Tahir has very impressive in the two ODIs played so far. This will be his last home series with him announcing retirement from ODIs after the 2019 World cup. 

Stats from the series:

Quinton De Kock – 175 runs Avg. 87.50, Strike rate -124 (Hs-93, 50s-2)

Lungi Ngidi – 5 wickets at an economy of 4.8 RPO (BB -3/60)

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Faf du Plessis(C), Quinton de Kock (Wk),Reeza Hendricks, Russie Van Der Hussan, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Imran Tahir, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, Tabraiz Shamsi, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Faf du Plessis

Sri Lanka Preview

Key Players:

Oshanda Fernando – Fernando had scores of 49 and 31 in the two ODIs. He needs to stay longer and play a big innings to help his team`s scorecard. 

Akila Dananjaya –Dananjaya has been successful in the middle over’s with his ability to contain batsmen. But he has left with very few runs to pressurize the batsmen. 

Stats from the series:

Kusal Mendis – 84 runs Avg. 42, Strike rate -81 (Hs-60, 50s-1)

Thisara Perera – 3 wickets at an economy of 4.8 RPO (BB -3/26)

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Lasith Malinga (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Akila Dananjaya, Thisara Perera

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Akila Dananjaya, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis , Thisara Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Isuru Udana, Oshada Fernando, Lasith Malinga

Weather Conditions

Durban Pitch is one of rare spin-friendly pitches in the South Africa. Spinner s and medium pacers find more success with their cutters and variations. The ground has a good balance between bat and ball. The average score here is 280-300 runs. No weather interruptions are expected in the match.

Toss: WIN the toss, BOWL First

Teams chasing has won more matches in Durban recently with the two matches played in 2018 won by batting second. Both captains will look to chase the score set by opposition.