Written by Rick John Henry for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Sri Lanka vs South Africa | Saturday 12 July | Hambantota | 06:30
South Africa’s worst fears were realised last outing in Kandy, as Tillakaratne Dilshan continued his dazzling form at the Pallekele Stadium to set an above-par total for the tourists, who would duly collapse at his hands to send the series into a decider in Hambantota. It’s not all bad news for the Proteas however. Newly instated Test captain Hashim Amla can’t stop scoring centuries while Imran Tahir has a lot to offer when plying his trade on the subcontinent. Nevertheless, a firm tactical hand and perhaps cutthroat pragmatism is needed if the Proteas have intentions of picking up their first ODI series on Sri Lankan soil. While some problems from 2013’s tour have been rectified, there are others that persist and require stern examination.
To Win
Sri Lanka 7/10
Tie 35/1
South Africa 11/10
Sri Lanka
Unbeaten in a series in 2014, the hosts’ recent record suffered a jolt in the opening ODI as a result of poor fielding and tactical laziness. While Sri Lanka again dropped two catches, one of the lifelines resulting in another Hashim Amla hundred, it was not to cost them as dearly the second time around. It’s almost a foregone conclusion that Tillakaratne Dilshan will score runs in Kandy, his 86 from 90 balls providing the perfect platform for the middle-order to push the Sri Lankan total into orbit. Par for the track was considered 250 and the likes of Thirimanne, Jayawardene, Matthews and Priyanjan duly obliged in taking Sri Lanka past that. However, bowled out for 267 in the final over of the innings, Sri Lanka would’ve hoped for something closer to the 280-300 mark after the start they made. In reality, it was not required.
Lasith Malinga made a strong comeback after going for more than seven an over in the first ODI. At the Pallekele Stadium his economy rate was down to 4.00 and he struck four times in six overs, twice in his opening spell, to break the back of the South African chase and finally get rid of the immovable Hashim Amla. New ball partner Nuwan Kulasekara has had little to celebrate aside from Sri Lanka’s victory, failing to claim a scalp thus far and proving expensive. However, he may find a bit more assistance from a nippy Hambantota track. It was Sri Lanka’s plethora of spin that invited the South African batting collapse in the same vein as a year ago. Dilshan, the nation’s hero of the day, claimed three important wickets to spark the South African slide. If Sri Lanka stick to the basics and play with the same hunger they have all year, they should not find themselves far from a series victory.
South Africa
Teams batting second do not fare well in one-day internationals in Kandy. The pitch slows and turns as the game wears on and the first twenty overs of the match are undoubtedly the best to bat. That being said, excuses such as the one above are becoming more and more difficult to swallow. The evidence of a trying chase was on display towards the back of the Sri Lankan innings, McLaren striking thrice in one over to help skittle the hosts. Their scoring had slowed dramatically and Sri Lanka were quite pleased with what they had mustered. Apart from the mastery of a certain Hashim Amla, recording his third century in three attempts on the tour, South Africa’s batting through the middle overs was criminal and mirrored their lacklustre attempts at deciphering Sri Lanka’s spinners last year.
Amla scored 101. AB de Villiers was next best with 29, while Dale Steyn batted with a battered finger and scored a brave 23. None of the others managed double figures. In fact, the extras column outscored eight of South Africa’s batsmen. Simply put, it was a ludicrous display of mindless batting. AB de Villiers was caught attempting the same shot he was dropped playing in the first ODI. Some players just never learn. The Proteas will also feel flummoxed at the dismal form of legend Jacques Kallis. Unable to bowl from a back strain, he is included as a batsman only and takes up the vital number three role. With one run to his name and no promise of impacting the game with the ball in his hand, he is forcing an in-form Faf du Plessis out of the side. While du Plessis has a slightly modest ODI record, his ability is not in doubt and considering his responsibility as the Test number four, could benefit from a run in Sri Lankan conditions. Although the rhetoric is strongly centred around the 2015 World Cup, a return to the top of the Test rankings would make this a successful Proteas tour regardless.
Venue
Hambantota is generally considered a slightly quicker wicket than others in Sri Lanka, but don’t go expecting blistering pace. Spin will still play a vital part here, particularly with the added bounce in the pitch. South Africa have not yet played an ODI at the ground, while many in the last few years have been either affected by rain or abandoned. That being said, the weather forecast looks clear for Saturday.
BEST: Top Sri Lankan Batsman, Tillakaratne Dilshan 7/2
Both Dilshan and Sangakkara have a history of ODI runs at the ground, and although I’m loathe to pick the same batsman twice, Dilshan looks full of confidence and in great nick. The Sri Lankan opener continues to perplex bowling attacks with his unusual array of strokes and will, as usual, be given the freedom to express himself. Get on.
VERDICT: Sri Lanka 7/10
Aside from the glorious Hashim Amla, no-one else in the Proteas’ batting line-up convinces me that South Africa can score enough runs here. In fact, I’ll be surprised if they can muster 200. The middle-order collapse of Pallekele was similar to much of last year’s tour and I expect Sri Lanka to turn the screw. It could well be instrumental in a defining season in Sri Lankan cricket history.
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