Not many would believe this, but yes, Sri Lanka beat South Africa in a test series in South Africa. In 2019. After years of being in ‘transition’, Sri Lanka seems to have found their mojo, having won the 1st Test in a thrilling 1-wicket victory, while they won the 2nd Test easily by 8 wickets, and whitewashing the hosts 2-0. Now, they seem to be growing in confidence.
What’s left on this tour is 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is, and these formats suit the Asian touring team, but it’s never easy to get past South Africa in the limited overs format. We’re a couple of months away from the World Cup and South Africa is yet to find the perfect replacement for the magician AB de Villiers in the middle order. Keep reading for our fantasy preview of the 1st ODI…
Match info
- Tournament: Sri Lanka tour of South Africa 2019
- Date: 3rd March 2019, 1:30pm IST
- Venue: The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
- Capacity: 28,000+
- Series status: First ODI of the 5-match series.
Form (recent first)
- South Africa: W L W W L
- Sri Lanka: L L L W L
Stats
- South Africa ended a 7-match winning streak at this ground when they lost here to Pakistan in Jan 2019.
- The hosts have a 73.5% win rate at this ground, while Sri Lanka has 25% (2 wins in 8 ODIs).
- 439/2 (South Africa) is the highest score at this ground, while 438/9 (South Africa) is the highest successful chase.
- Kagiso Rabada has 10 wickets in 5 ODIs here.
- Lasith Malinga has 11 wickets in his last 5 international games (ODIs and T20Is).
South Africa
Poor form and probably a much needed rest means Hashim Amla has been dropped for this series, but it would’ve good to see him bat here, where he has a good record. Aiden Markram is another one who gets the axe, giving chances to Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen, both of whom have had brilliant domestic seasons. Hendricks hasn’t been able to transfer that form into the international stage. However, I’d definitely pick RvdD.
This is one of the most iconic and beautiful cricket stadiums around the world. Pace and bounce is expected here, and Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje are a part of the squad. Good chances that they will be played, since South Africa just has 5 ODIs until the World Cup, which means Dale Steyn or Kagiso Rabada could be left out. Imran Tahir was one of three players to lose their central contracts recently so he will have a point to prove as well.
Sri Lanka
A couple of years back, no one would’ve though Lasith Malinga would be back, that too as captain of the ODI side. Now, he’s as good as he has ever been in his career, also picking up 5/35 in the warm-up against Cricket South Africa Invitation XI. Make sure he’s in your fantasy side for the 1st ODI.
Apart from Malinga, pick Akila Dananjaya who has been cleared of his suspect bowling action and he will have a point to prove. Similarly, Thisara Perera is someone you must have in your side, worthy of even being the captain or vice-captain of your fantasy team, given his recent form and success in various T20 leagues.
SA v SL Punting
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My fantasy eleven
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