Match Preview: South Africa and Sri Lanka to feature in a clash of the heavyweights

Sri Lanka and South Africa both have made it to the super eight stage, and this last league match of group C is important as they will have the opportunity of testing themselves one last time before the big matches begin. This clash of the heavyweights promises to be a high voltage clash, the first in the tournament, which has had a rather muffled beginning. It is difficult to bid on who will win the match for it is a test of spin for Africa and a test of genuine pace for Lankans before both the teams part ways to take teams from the other groups.

Much talked about pace attack of Africa must have undergone a detailed diagnosis in the Sri Lankan dugout and the two seniors, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara must have a great deal of tips to impart to the inexperienced lot in the team. The duo have had the opportunity to practice against Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, who were their team mates during the IPL. Rookies Munaveera and Jeevan Mendis will face a stern test and hopefully this time, the former will be less hesitant and justify the tag of “explosive batsman” that Lankans have given him. Veterans Dilshan, Jayawardene and Sangakkara are experienced and technically equipped to tackle any bowling attack whatsoever. Angelo Matthews’s flamboyant batting with Jeevan Mendis and Thisara Perera to follow, give Sri Lanka seven proper batsmen, if they replace colt Thirimanne with Herath, to tackle an incisive bowling unit consisting of Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kallis, Albie Morkel, Peterson and Botha.

South Africa’s batting line-up runs even deeper with eight batsmen to take the guard and ensure against the wreck of an early damage, if they play Faf Du Plessis, a more tested player than Farhaan Behardien. Given the stature of the opponents, it is likely that Farhaan Behardien will be replaced by Faf Du Plessis. South Africans have a good mix of hard hitting and technically correct but prolific batsmen in Richard Levi, Hashim Amla, Kallis, AB De Villiers and Albie Morkel. A spectacular contest is in store between the formidable South African batting and the spin trio of Ajantha Mendis, Jeevan Mendis, and Herath. The weakness of the Africans against quality spin would tempt Lankan skipper to bring into the side left arm spinner Rangana Herath.

In the first matches played by both the teams, the spot light was not on the pacers from Lanka and spinners from South Africa. But do not to forget that Lasith Malinga and Kulasekara are match winners too, while Robin Peterson and John Botha too have good T20 credentials.

Sri Lanka has played forty two T20 internationals and South Africa has played forty eight T20 internationals. But they have never faced each other in this format of the game and it bodes for an interesting contest. Who will win, is difficult to predict, but Sri Lanka has the upper hand because of the home advantage and S. Africa’s supposed vulnerability against quality spin.

PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Ajantha Mendis: He has come out hard and strong after so many months of no cricket. His record and career best figures of 6/8 in four overs, in T20 internationals have attracted a lot of praise. His bamboozling carom balls and googlies from the back of the hand will be a tough test to clear for the South Africans.

Mahela Jayawardene: Having an average of 30.12 and a strike rate of 137.29, the skipper looked in sound touch against Zimbabwe. A bit of impatience and running between the wickets cost him his wicket last time and surely, this experienced batsman will make amends and will be difficult to dislodge.

Angelo Mathews: Having done exceptionally well in the SLPL and ending as the second highest scorer of the tournament, he scored at an impressive average of 70.33. Hopes pinned on him are high, for he is a match winner.

Dale Steyn: The best death over bowler a team can have, his pace and accuracy are the reason behind his conceding so few runs. Bowling at an economy of 2.25 in the last match, he will again draw attention as everybody would like to know how less he will concede this time around against Dilshan, Mahela, Sangkara, et el.

Hashim Amla: By scoring 32 not out in the match against Zimbabwe, this run machine is showing no signs of abating. Throw him any challenge and he is up to it. He looks serene but scores at a fast clip consistently. He will be the first man on Lanka’s hit list.

Jacques Kallis: Best all-rounder in all the formats of the game, he claimed four wickets at an economy of 3.75 in the last match against Zimbabwe. This is not even a half of the story of his potential. He is a complete package who has the potential to deliver against all and in all the departments, let alone bowling. His batting average of 40.12 in T20s speaks for itself. A sound technician and very effective with both bat and ball, and a very good fielder, AB De Villiers can securely rely on Kallis.

VENUE: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

DATE: September 22, 2012

TIME: 15:30 (IST)