South Africa have not been in action since the end of their short tour to Ireland a few months ago and have sent a side shorn of its top ODI talents.
Sri Lanka vs South Africa | 2 August | Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 11:30
To Win Match
Sri Lanka 29/20
Tie 25/1
South Africa 57/100
Sri Lanka
Former Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal returns to their squad for the first time since their tour to the West Indies in April of this year, but Dasun Shanaka will retain the captaincy.
Lahiru Madushanka, Mahesh Theekshana, and Pulina Tharanga have earned maiden call-ups to the Sri Lanka squad of 22 but it is unclear if the trio will actually play.
Spinners Akila Dananjaya and Wanindu Hasaranga will hold the key for Sri Lanka when it comes to containing the visitor’s batsmen.
As the last man to score an ODI hundred for Sri Lanka, Kusal Perera stands out head and shoulders as the best batsman for the hosts, who have struggled to build an innings across all three formats.
South Africa
With Quinton de Kock rested for the ODI portion of this tour it will give an opportunity to Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram to make their cases to become the star man’s full-time opening partner.
There will be further opportunities for the fringe batsmen to press their case in the middle order with David Miller also left out for this series.
Kyle Verreynne could get some time out in the middle, while Heinrich Klaasen can make a case for more opportunities in the ODI format.
Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj could prove to be the key men for the Proteas who have further slow bowling options in allrounder George Linde.
Verdict: South Africa 57/100
Sri Lanka’s weak batting should prove an insurmountable obstacle.
