South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI: Match details, key players and predicted XI

After unexpected defeat in the test series, South Africa is set to host the Sri Lankan team for the five-match ODI series. The opening match will be played tomorrow at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg. Sri Lanka has the winning momentum heading into the ODI series while the hosts would be hoping to make a comeback in this series. The ODI series will be followed by three-match T20I series which will take place on 19th, 22th & 24th March.

Sri Lanka must be beaming with confidence post their dominant performance in the test series. They were struggling with the red-ball cricket before they arrived in South Africa, but a historic series win will do them a lot of good for their morale.

The visitors have made some surprising changes in the ODI squad and left behind some big guns. After their remarkable turnaround in the test series, the Lankan Lions would be eyeing to dominate the ODI series as well. Lasith Malinga will return in the thick of things to lead his team from the front.

On the other hand, South Africa faced a significant blow in the test series against a weaker opponent. The Proteas have been in sensational home form until the last round where they got thrashed by the Sri Lankan team in both the tests. Having lost the test series, South Africa would be hoping to land a counter punch in the ODIs. The Proteas will still be the favourites heading into the ODI series, but they can’t afford underestimate Sri Lanka. The home side will miss the service of the veteran Hashim Amla as he has been dropped from the team. With a string of losses in the test matches, Faf du Plessis will be desperate for a positive result in the upcoming series.

GAME DETAILS

Date: Sunday, March 03, 2019

Time: 01:30 PM IST

Venue: Wanderers stadium, Johannesburg

League: Sri Lanka tour of South Africa

Live Telecast: Sony Network

Online Streaming: Sonyliv.com

Head to Head in ODIs

Total ODI’s played: 71

South Africa won: 38

Sri Lanka won: 31

No Result: 01

Tied: 01

Ground Stats ODI

Total Matches- 41

Matches won batting first- 17

Matches won bowling first- 24

Average 1st Inns scores- 235

Average 2nd Inns scores- 204

Highest total recorded- 438/9 (49.5 Ov) by RSA vs AUS

Lowest total recorded- 109/10 (32.3 Ov) by PAK vs RSA

Highest score chased- 438/9 (49.5 Ov) by RSA vs AUS

Lowest score defended- 149/10 (45 Ov) by RSA vs Eng

Team News

Sri Lanka:

• Danushka Gunathilaka, Asela Gunaratne, Dasun Shanaka, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dushmantha Chameera and Sadeera Samarawickrama have been dropped from the ODI squad.
• Isuru Udana returns to the Sri Lankan squad after 9 long years in ODIs.
• Akila Dananjaya will also join the ODI team for this series.

South Africa:

• Hashim Amla has been dropped from the squad due to his poor run.
• Either Tabraiz Shamsi or Imran Tahir will feature in the playing XI
• Anrich Nortje, the uncapped pacer can make his ODI debut.

SQUADS

Sri Lanka:

Lasith Malinga(c), Avishka Fernando, Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Angelo Perera, Oshada Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Priyamal Perera, Isuru Udana, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan

South Africa:

Faf du Plessis(c), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen

KEY PLAYERS

Sri Lanka

• Niroshan Dickwella (wk)
• Kusal Mendis
• Kusal Perera

South Africa

• Quinton de Kock (wk)
• Reeza Hendricks
• Aiden Markram

Probable Playing 11

Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Upul Tharanga, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Kasun Rajitha, Lasith Malinga (c), Vishwa Fernando/Isuru Udana

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi/Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi