Sri Lanka vs South Africa, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Today Match Prediction 28 Jun 2019

srl vs n/a Match Prediction & Analysis

Sri Lanka will be looking to keep their winning momentum going when they take on South Africa in the 35th game of ICC Cricket World Cup at Chester-le-Street on Friday.

Dimuth Karunaratne-led unit has a chance to qualify for the semifinals of the competition if they win their remaining three games. The side registered a morale-boosting win over England in a game played at Headingley Cricket Ground. The experienced players will need to rise and deliver if Sri Lanka wants to beat South Africa in this contest.

On the other hand, South Africa will be looking to play for pride after being eliminated from the competition. Captain Faf du Plessis will be looking to make changes for this game in order to end their losing streak in the tournament.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

The side is currently lying seventh in the points table with six points to their name in six matches played in the competition. Dimuth Karunaratne and co. will certainly fancy their chances of doing well against Faf du Plessis’ South Africa.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the opening pair of Dimuth Karunaratne and wicket-keeper Kusal Perera to produce the bulk of runs on the board. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne has truly led from the front with the bat in this World Cup. He has topped the batting charts for Sri Lanka so far in the competition with 180 runs in 4 matches at an average of 60.00. 

Besides Karunaratne, Wicket-keeper Kusal Perera has shown decent form with the bat in this ongoing World Cup. He has scored 161 runs in 4 matches at an average of 40.25 with two half-centuries to his name. Left-hander will be looking to make a strong comeback with the bat after perishing for a low score against England.

Avishka Fernando produced an excellent innings for Sri Lanka in their previous game played against England. He produced a quick-fire 49 runs off 39 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes. He certainly took the attack to English bowlers after Sri Lanka lost their openers early in the innings.

Fernando will be looking to continue his good form with the bat in this game. Kusal Mendis also worked hard for his runs in the previous game and managed to score 46 off 68 balls with the help of two boundaries. He added crucial partnerships with Avishka Fernando and Angelo Matthews to keep the scoreboard ticking for Sri Lanka.

All-rounder Angelo Matthews certainly produced splendid innings on a surface that offered a lot of assistance to the slow bowlers. He produced unbeaten 85 runs off 115 balls with the help of five fours and a six.

In the bowling department, Lasith Malinga rose to the occasion for Sri Lanka and delivered a scintillating performance against England. He finished with figures of 4 for 43 from his 10 overs. Nuwan Pradeep also kept it tight from the other end and managed to the final wicket of Mark Wood to see Sri Lanka sneak a narrow win over England. Off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva also bowled exceedingly well and picked up three wickets against England.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Jeevan Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga.

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Thisara Perera, Avishka Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeevan Mendis, Kusal Mendis , Dimuth Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga

South Africa Preview

On the other hand, South Africa suffered a 49-run defeat at the hands of Pakistan in a World Cup game played at Lords. With this result, South Africa is officially out of the competition and will be looking to salvage some pride in the remaining games of the competition.

In the batting department, the focus will be on the likes of Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Faf du Plessis to produce runs with the bat. Faf Du Plessis was a standout performer with the bat in the previous fixture. He scored 63 runs off 79 balls with the help of five boundaries. He was well supported by wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock, who chipped in with 47 runs off 60 balls.  South Africa will be hoping that the likes of de Kock and du Plessis can continue their good form in this game.

The side has a strong middle-order consisting of players like Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller and JP Duminy, who will need to deliver runs with the bat in this game. Van der Dussen has been a consistent performer for the side in this World Cup and scored 216 runs in 5 matches at an average of 54.00.

In the bowling department, Medium-pacer Andile Phehlukwayo and spinner Imran Tahir bowled well in the previous game played against Pakistan. The rest of the bowling attack was on the expensive side in the previous game played against Pakistan.

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla/JP Duminy, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock (wk), Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada.

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir

Weather Conditions

The surface prepared for this game will be excellent for batting. The quick-bowlers might get something out of this surface. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Friday is going to see bright sunshine with a gentle breeze.

Venue

Riverside Ground in Chester-le Street is going to host its first World Cup game between Sri Lanka and South Africa. Sri Lanka will take heart from the fact they have won their two games played at this venue. South Africa has a decent head-to-head against Sri Lanka in World Cup competition.

Toss: To Bowl