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Sri Lanka vs South Africa 2018, 2nd ODI – Preview

Sri Lanka v South Africa
South Africa leads the series 1-0. Image Courtesy: Getty

After a disappointing loss in the first outing, hosts Sri Lanka will be keen to level terms when they face South Africa in the second ODI at Dambulla on August 1 (Wednesday).

Meanwhile, the Proteas brushed their Test disappointments aside and won the first ODI quite comprehensively. Kagiso Rabada (4/41) and Tabraiz Shamsi (4/33) set it up for the visitors, rattling Sri Lanka for a mere 193. Later, JP Duminy’s unbeaten half-century sealed the game for the Proteas.

Sri Lanka, however, will have to sort their top-order problems if they want to come back in the series. Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis and captain Angelo Mathews form a formidable line-up, and they must click as a unit. On the bowling front, barring Akila Dananjaya, the others looked ineffective. The other bowlers need to chip in and provide support to their ace white-ball spinner.

For South Africa, barring the brief period when the Pereras were going well, everything else went well. But they did look under pressure when the Sri Lankan batsmen took the attack to the opposition. The batsmen also did a good job except for Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram, who need to step up.

Sri Lanka vs South Africa 2018, 2nd ODI - Preview
Faf du Plessis is having a close look at the wicket. Getty Images

Their bowlers need to stick to their plans when put under the pump. As good as Rabada and Lungi Ngidi were with the new ball, Andile Phehlukwayo and Willem Mulder looked ineffective as change bowlers. Sri Lanka may seek to exploit this weakness.

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Key Players

Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka): Perera was the star of the Sri Lankan innings, hitting 81 with 11 fours and a six. He took a particular liking for the spinners, as he swept and reverse-swept them with confidence.

Kusal Perera will be the key man for Sri Lanka.

JP Duminy (South Africa): A limited-overs specialist, Duminy made his presence felt in his first game of the tour by hitting a rapid half-century after coming in to bat with South Africa needing 77 runs.

He provided the knockout punch with six fours and two sixes and will be an integral part of the South African middle-order.

Exciting Battle

Both the sides have some quality players in their ranks and Sri Lanka will give their all to level back the series which will encounter even more interesting.

Kusal Mendis, highest scorer for Sri Lanka in the last game will once again have the onus to score runs for his team. However, it will not be an easy task against South Africa’s quality fast bowlers. Kagiso Rabada will have the job to cut his innings short.

Sri Lanka vs South Africa 2018, 2nd ODI - Preview
Kagiso Rabada returned with four wickets in the last game. Getty Images

Quinton de Kock, who departed after getting a good start can be dangerous if he gets going. Suranga Lakmal will have the task cut out to stop the swashbuckling southpaw.

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Facts and Figures

  • Sri Lanka have not won their last seven matches at this ground with six losses and one ending with no result.
  • It is a high scoring ground with the highest score of 385 for seven notched by Pakistan against Bangladesh in 2010. Sri Lanka has the highest score of 312 for four on this ground.

Form guide

Sri Lanka LWWWL (completed matches, most recent first)

South Africa WLLWL

Pitch and conditions

Despite Sri Lanka’s collapse, there were no major demons on the Dambulla track on Sunday, and another good one-day pitch is expected. No rain is forecast for the day.

The temperatures will be ranging between 24 and 32 degree Celsius. Moreover, the humidity is likely to be around 64 percent.

Sri Lanka vs South Africa 2018, 2nd ODI - Preview
Sri Lanka will bank on Upul Tharanga to get a good start. Getty Images

Stats and trivia

  • In seven innings so far this year, Hashim Amla averages 24.71, with a strike rate of 80. His career average is 50.02, with a strike rate of 89.
  • From 18 bowling innings, Akila Dananjaya has a career economy rate of 4.97. It is despite him having played in one of the weakest Sri Lanka ODI bowling attacks in the last 20 years.
  • Sri Lanka have now lost nine ODIs in a row to South Africa – a losing streak that goes back to July 2014.
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Predicted XI

Sri Lanka will be without fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, who split webbing on his left hand during fielding drills. Kasun Rajitha in all likeliness to play in his place.

Furthermore, Prabath Jayasuriya is also likely to make his debut with Lakshan Sandakan likely to sit out.

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews (c), Shehan Jayasuriya, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Lakshan Sandakan, Kasun Rajitha

Bench: Dasun Shanaka, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya`

South Africa are likely to keep their XI from Sunday. As a result, Heinrich Klaasen will probably continue to sit out, while Mulder plays as an all-rounder.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (c), JP Duminy, David Miller,  Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi

Bench: Junior Dala, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj

Match Prediction

It is likely to be a one-sided affair with South Africa having better players to turn the tables around for them. But one will not make the mistake of writing off the host team because they boast a good record at home.
However, the Proteas will have their confidence behind their back and will have a slight edge over the Sri Lankans. As a result, the Faf du Plessis led-side are the favourites to go 2-0 up in this five-match ODI series.

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