South Africa take on Sri Lanka in a five match ODI series starting on 29 July. South Africa will be looking to put their crushing 2-0 defeat in the test matches behind them and make amends with a ODI series victory.
South Africa versus Sri Lanka ODI Preview
South Africa has not been in good ODI form recently winning just 4 of their past 9 matches, including a humiliating 1-5 loss to India in South Africa. The other 3 victories where against Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka are in a similar position to South Africa with a poor record over the past 12 months. Sri Lanka have won just 4 of their last 18 ODI matches including a 0-5 series loss to Pakistan in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s designated ODI captain, Angelo Mathews, will lead them against South Africa in the five-match ODI series scheduled to begin from July 29.
Head to Head
South Africa are currently ranked 2nd in the world on the ICC rankings while Sri Lanka are mid table, ranked 8th.
The last time these two sides played each other was in 2017 in South Africa. South Africa won the 5 match ODI series 5-0. South Africa also won the last match they played which was a comfortable victory in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Last Five Matches:
- ICC Champions Trophy at London, Jun 3 2017 – South Africa won by 96 runs
- 5th ODI (D/N), Sri Lanka tour of South Africa at Centurion, Feb 10 2017 – South Africa won by 88 runs
- 4th ODI (D/N), Sri Lanka tour of South Africa at Cape Town, Feb 7 2017- South Africa won by 40 runs
- 3rd ODI (D/N), Sri Lanka tour of South Africa at Johannesburg, Feb 4 2017 – South Africa won by 7 wickets (with 108 balls remaining)
- 2nd ODI (D/N), Sri Lanka tour of South Africa at Durban, Feb 1 2017 – South Africa won by 121 runs
Top Batsmen
Several batsmen have been in superb form over the last few months. For South Africa, De Kock is averaging 85 with the bat over his last 5 matches which includes a best of 168 not out against Bangldesh. Faf du Plessis has averaged 105 in his last 4 matches with a best of 120 coming against India.
For Sri Lanka, Mathews is the best of the batsmen with an average of 69 over his past 8 matches including a highest score of 111 not out.
Top Bowlers
Rabada will be a threat up front with the ball and had a good series against Bangladesh with a best of 4/43. While Shamsi will be looking forward to some spin friendly conditions as he looks to establish his ODI career.
IRRESPECTIVE OF THE CONDITIONS AND WICKETS, IT IS NO SECRET THAT SOUTH AFRICA’S PACEMEN ARE THEIR STRENGTH.
For Sri Lanka, Perera is in good form getting 4/33 against Zimbabwe and has a bowling average of 17.63 in his last 5 matches.
Betting Odds
Third ODI
- South Africa- 5/10
- Sri Lanka – 16/10
Prediction
South Africa’s pace attack did not perform as expected in the test matches due to the spin friendly wickets but the ODI pitches should offer a bit more for the seamers. South Africa’s batting will need to improve dramatically and Tahir should prove a real threat on the bowling front. Despite the poor start to the tour we expect South Africa to be far more competitive in the ODI series and should win a close fought series.
Teams
Sri Lanka
Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Lakshan Sandakan, Kasun Rajitha.
South Africa
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Shaun von Berg.
* Please note – odds mentioned above are subject to change, so always check the latest published odds to be fully certain before betting.
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