4 exciting ODI series to look forward to in 2018

With the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup just ten months away, each ODI series involving the ten competing nations will be crucial. These teams will be trying to test their bench strength, figure out the best possible XI, and improve the standard of the game.

The 2011 winners, India, and the 2015 champions, Australia, have a lot to ponder after their recent series defeat against England. With the World Cup to be hosted by England and Wales next year, this does not augur well for the former champions.

Also, bottom-placed teams like Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be trying to improve their game and gain momentum in the run-up to the showpiece event. Let us now look at four exciting ODI tournaments to watch out for in 2018.

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1) Sri Lanka vs South Africa: 5 ODIs (July 29- August 12)

Some exciting action awaits from the Island nation

Sri Lanka defeated the mighty South Africans 2-0 in the recently concluded two-match Test series played at Galle and Colombo, convincingly. With the five-day games done and dusted, the focus now shifts to the white ball matches to be played at Dambulla, Pallekele, and Colombo from July 29.

Though the rankings favor Proteas (3rd in the ICC ODI rankings), Sri Lanka (8th) hold the upper hand in the five-match series given the home conditions and their winning momentum.

With Jean-Paul Duminy, David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo returning to the limited-overs squad, it will be a major boost for the South Africans who will encounter a balanced Lankan squad in their own backyard. It will be a daunting task for Du Plessis and his men to defeat the Lankans at home, for which they need to be at their very best in all departments.

2) Asia Cup-2018: September 15-28 at United Arab Emirates (UAE)

India- the 2016 Asia Cup winners

The 2018 edition of the Asia Cup, which was originally scheduled to be held in India, will now be played from September 15-28 at United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi). Bangladesh will lock horns with five-time winners Sri Lanka in the tournament opener at Dubai.

The tournament, which will be played in the 50-overs format (in 2016 it was played in the T20 format due to the ICC World T20), will feature six teams - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and a qualifier nation.

Six teams will fight for the qualifier spot - Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Singapore and the hosts UAE. The 2016 edition winners India have been grouped with their arch-rivals Pakistan and the qualifying side. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan complete the proceedings of the second group.

The teams that finish at the bottom of each group will head home, while the remaining four teams will compete in the Super 4 round for a place in the finals. So, watch out for this cracking tournament featuring the best players across Asia.

3) Sri Lanka vs England: October 10-23, Five ODIs

England, the number one ranked side, will tour Sri Lanka in October

The number one ranked ODI side, England, will take on Sri Lanka in a five-match ODI series starting on October 10, 2018. This series will be followed by one-off T20 and a three-match Test series.

With England dominating the limited-overs format, this tournament promises to be an exciting one for the fans. England, who will be hosting the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup from May 31-July 14, 2019 will be tempted to try their bench strength in this series.

The Sri Lankans, on the other hand, will try to seize this opportunity to assess where they stand in the run-up to the World Cup next year. This will be the last chance for England to consolidate their position at the top of the ICC rankings for ODIs.

With plenty of superstars on their ranks (Bairstow, Rashid, Morgan, and Root) England will try to seal the series against the Islanders who will come out all guns blazing at home.

4) Australia vs South Africa: 3 ODIs (November 4-11)

South Africa tour Australia in November this year

The Proteas will tour Australia in November 2018 for a three-match ODI series and a T20 game. The high-voltage limited overs series will begin at Perth on November 4 with the second and third ODI to played at Adelaide (November 9) and Hobart (November 11).

The Australians, who are currently at sixth in the ICC ODI rankings after their disappointing ODI series against England, will try to move up the ladder by putting up a dominating show against the Proteas at home.

But, it is never going to be easy for the Aussies who are without their regular skipper, Steve Smith and the ruthless David Warner. The Australian front-line bowlers must deliver in order to derail a South African series win.

Fans have always enjoyed the encounters between these two quality ODI sides. This series will be no different. With World Cup just a few months away, this tournament will assume much significance.