A full strength South African side is set to take on the visitors, Sri Lanka, in a five-match ODI series which might very well act as a building block for both teams towards the Champions Trophy on England later this year.
The Proteas ODI side would be rejuvenated by the return of their skipper, Ab de Villiers and other players who were rested for the T20 leg. They would, however, miss the services of Lungi Ngidi, the star of the T20s due to an injury he suffered in the final match.
Sri Lanka may have found some respite on this tour by winning the T20s but the ODIs hold more context this year with a tournament coming up. Their ODI side is more settled now with the youngsters finding their feet but they will miss Angelo Matthews.
Let us take a glance at 5 key players for the ODIs that start at Port Elizabeth from 28th.
#5 Dinesh Chandimal
The Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman is a senior figure in the squad right now and in the absence of Matthews, is expected to take a leadership role though the captaincy has been entrusted with Upul Tharanga.
Ideally, Sri Lanka would like to see their batsmen bat around Chandimal, who has the flamboyance and experience to revel in this new role as a fulcrum. Chandimal is a much better limited-overs player and if he can overcome a poor Test series and find some form with the bat, Lanka might just edge out the Proteas.
Being the keeper, Chandimal may also need to give inputs about field positions and DRS calls to Tharanga who is in unfamiliar territory as skipper. Much would depend on Chandimal if Sri Lanka are to post competitive totals against a full strength South Africa.
#4 Chris Morris
The Proteas all-rounder is back after a lengthy period off from the game due to injury and the timing of his return cannot be more accurate. South Africa are preparing for yet another World tournament and they badly need the balance in their ODI squad which Morris has provided them with.
In the absence of Steyn, Morkel and Ngidi, Morris may be required to bowl first change after Parnell and Rabada although he may also take up the new ball if Pretorius is preferred to Parnell.
His death over bowling is also something South Africa will be looking at as they try to identify their death over bowlers in the CT2017.
Morris was influential with the willow on the last ODI series he figured in, against England, playing the Lance Klusener role to near perfection. South African fans will be hoping none of those skills have vanished after the injury.
#3 Lakshan Sandakan
The chinaman spinner brought in a much-needed variation to a Lankan bowling attack that had run out of ideas in the Test series. Sandakan played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's triumph in the T20 series, by slowing up the run rate in the mid overs.
His role might be pretty similar in the ODIs although he may have to deal with much more experienced batsmen. Sri Lanka would have keenly observed that not many South African batsmen, including De Villiers, picked the wrist spinner.
In modern day limited overs cricket, the wrist spinner has become a vital part of most teams and Sandakan might just be the man Sri Lanka need right now.
#2 Quinton de Kock
The South African opener has been in terrific touch in all forms of the game recently. His dynamic starts have completed Amla's crisp approach at the crease and the left-right combo has been brilliant in putting off opposition's plans.
De Kock was a nemesis for Lanka in the Tests with his batting from no.7. In the limited overs games, though, they will have to counter him in the powerplays where he plays with the freedom of a school student.
With the seniors returning in the middle order, De Kock will be all the more empowered to go for his shots. His keeping has also improved by leaps and bounds and his one handed stunners from behind the stumps have become a talking point in almost all matches he plays in.
#1 Ab de Villiers
The ODI giant and South African skipper is a nightmare for bowlers around the world and if Lanka thought that they were lucky to face him after a long layoff, he proved them wrong with a splendid half-century in the final T20.
His ability to take the game out of the opposition's hands at the death overs will be a huge area of concern for Sri Lanka. Their best bet is to try and bring him early to the wicket. De Villiers post the 30th over is a beast in ODI cricket and they wouldn't want to spur him on.
His T20 innings proved that the hunger and passion remain high. In ODIs, a format he has openly talked about playing till 2019, the Proteas skipper would be keen to prove a point. Watch out Lanka for another AB blitz!
Also Read: What goes through the mind of a bowler when studying AB de Villiers' wagon wheel
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