South Africa vs Sri Lanka - 3rd ODI Fantasy Preview

There’s so much of international cricket going on at the moment, and this Super Sunday means a jam-packed schedule at similar timings. Afghanistan play Ireland in the 5th ODI, India play Australia in the 4th ODI and here, South Africa take on Sri Lanka in the 3rd ODI, with the home team already holding a 2-0 lead in the 5-match series.

Sri Lanka impressed in the Test series to win 2-0 but they have looked all at sea in the 2 ODIs so far. Today, they have the chance to stay alive in the series but for that, they MUST win. They lost the 2nd ODI by 113 runs. Slight rain is in the forecast at Durban and while there may be disturbances, we should get a full game. Keep reading for our fantasy preview of the 3rd ODI…

Match info

Tournament: Sri Lanka tour of South Africa 2019
Date: 10th March 2019, 1:30pm IST
Venue: Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban
Capacity: 25,000+
Series status: South Africa lead the series 2-0.

Form (recent first)

South Africa: W W W L W W L
Sri Lanka: L L L L L W L

Stats

Imran Tahir has picked up 29 wickets in 12 ODIs against Sri Lanka.
South Africa have lost just 1 of their last 7 ODIs at this ground.
Sri Lanka have played 3 ODIs here and lost ALL.
372/6 is the highest score and highest successful chase here – South Africa.
Quinton de Kock has 227 runs in 4 ODIs here.

South Africa

Please ensure you have Imran Tahir in your fantasy teams for the 3rd ODI. The bowler has an impeccable record against Sri Lanka, he has a lot to prove since he lost his central contract, he announced his retirement, he has 9 wickets in 5 games here, he has 5 wickets in 2 games in this series, and much more. Basically, a lot of signs point towards another good game for the spinner, particularly since we’re expecting a spin-friendly pitch.

When Quinton de Kock latches on to an opponent, he really makes them pay and scores of 94 and 81 in this series so far suggest QdK is worth making your captain today as he’ll be looking to get the century he missed in both previous games. Andile Phehlukwayo is someone you want in your team as well. He only scored 2 in his last game and didn’t bowl, but his all-round abilities are capable of winning games for his team.

Sri Lanka

Problems galore for the visiting team. In both ODIs so far, Kusal Mendis has been the only Sri Lankan batsman to cross the score of 50. Niroshan Dickwella did brilliantly the last time Sri Lanka toured South Africa but scores of 8 and 6 so far in this series suggest I can’t keep him in my team, especially since QdK has booked the wicket-keeper spot in fantasy teams.

An uncertain top order with Dickwella and Avishka Fernando means chances for the South African pacers to bag early wickets yet again. Sri Lanka will be looking at resting Vishwa Fernando for Kamindu Mendis if they feel the need to play an extra spinner here. Please also pick Akila Dananjaya in your team. He only has 2 wickets in 2 games but he can be your x-factor player, capable of running through opponents.