SL vs SA- Prediction, Today's Winner, Most Runs, Most Wickets: 2nd ODI, South Africa tour of Sri Lanka 2021

SL vs SA- Prediction, Today’s Winner, Most Runs, Most Wickets: 2nd ODI, South Africa tour of Sri Lanka 2021. The first ODI between Sri Lanka and South Africa on Thursday at R Premadasa Cricket Stadium saw a high-scoring contest, with Sri Lanka winning in the end by 14 runs. The Island country batted first on a good batting surface. Avishka Fernando and M Bhanuka ensured Sri Lanka don’t lose any wicket in the first ten overs.

It was Aiden Markram, who got South Africa their first breakthrough in the form of M Bhanuka in the 12^th over of the innings. He got out on 27 off 39 balls. Avishka Fernando, however, held firm and looked on course to score a big knock. After Rajapaksa got out, Fernando stitched a vital 79-run partnership with Dhananjaya de Silva to set the foundation for a big score.

Keshav Maharaj, who looked the best bowler in the match, sent back De Silva (44 off 62) in the 31^st over to give South Africa some relief. Avishka Fernando, however, batted another 12 overs with Asalanka and played some heart-warming shots. He brought up the third century of his one-day international career before getting out in the 43^rd over. Fernando made 118 runs off 115 balls.

Asalanka also made a significant contribution of 72 runs off 62 balls as Sri Lanka notched 300 runs at the end of the first innings.

South Africa made a decent start to the second innings, Janneman Malan and Aiden Markram added 49 runs for the opening wicket. Malan, unfortunately, got out in the 10^th over but Markram and Bavuma ensured South Africa don’t suffer a collapse.

The duo played some pleasant-looking shots before the skipper got hit on his thumb and went back to the pavilion retired hurt after scoring 38 off 53 balls. The presence of Markram at the crease, however, kept the team in good stead. He ensured the required run rate doesn’t go out of hands while hitting regular boundaries during the chase.

Rassie van der Dussen also provided great support and kept South Africa’s hopes alive till the very end. Markram, unfortunately, got out on 96 off 90 deliveries in the 31st over. However, it was Van der Dussen’s wicket (59 off 53 balls) in the 46th over which killed the game for the proteas.

South Africa, at that stage, needed 41 runs off 25 balls. They, unfortunately, couldn’t chase it down and Sri Lanka won the game in the end by 14 runs. Sri Lanka has now taken a 1-0 lead in the series. They will play the second ODI against South Africa on Saturday.

SL vs SA- Prediction, Today’s Winner, Most Runs, Most Wickets: 2nd ODI, South Africa tour of Sri Lanka 2021

Sri Lanka vs South Africa: Head to Head Records: 

Venue records (Records at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Average first innings score: 235

Average second innings score: 196

Highest total recorded: 375/5 by India against Sri Lanka

Lowest total recorded: 86/10 by the Netherlands vs Sri Lanka

Total Matches played here: 134

Matches won batting first: 71

Matches won bowling first: 53

Toss Prediction for Match 1:

The team winning the toss is likely to bat first.

Predicted Scores for Match 1:

(Teams’ forms) – Oldest to Latest

South Africa: WLLWL

Sri Lanka: LLLWW

(Players’ form)

Sri Lanka:

• Batting

Who will score the most runs for Sri Lanka in the first ODI: Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, or Charith Asalanka 

• Bowling

Who will pick the most wickets for Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dhanajaya, or Dushmantha Chameera 

South Africa: 

• Batting

Who will score the most runs for South Africa in the first ODI: Janneman Malan, Temba Bavuma, or Henry Klaasen

• Bowling

Who will score the pick the most wickets for South Africa in the first ODI: Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, or Kagiso Rabada 

Who will win the match? 

Both teams batted well in the first ODI and posted huge scores on the board. However, with Sri Lanka having a more potent spin bowling attack, they are likely to register their second consecutive win in the series.