Written by Darry Worthington for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
South Africa v Sri Lanka | Monday 28 March | Feroz Shah Kotla, Dehli | 16:00
South Africa and Sri Lanka will lock horns on Monday with only pride to play for. Sri Lanka’s narrow loss to the English on Saturday ensured that Eoin Morgan’s men would join the West Indies in the semi-finals while South Africa and Sri Lanka would be knocked out.
Both sides will now be trying to close out their sub-par campaigns on a high note by securing a victory in Dehli.
To Win Match
South Africa 4/10 | Draw 35/1 | Sri Lanka 19/10
Once again, the Proteas have proven to be the architects of their own destruction. They’ve been in some dominant positions during the tournament – how they let such a dominant batting performance go to waste against the English is still something I’m trying to come to terms with – but have been unable to capitalise on these positive starts.
Faf du Plessis’ men are probably a rather broken bunch at the minute. They know they only have themselves to blame for being knocked out of yet another ICC flagship event. They are going to have to pick themselves up for this one however, as the Sri Lankans will be fired up and raring to put one over their illustrious opponents.
The Sri Lankans illustrated on Saturday why you can never write them off. Having been set a massive mammoth 171 run total to chase down on a two-paced deck, the Islanders were always going to be hard tasked to get the win that would keep their semi-final hopes alive. They looked dead and buried by the end of the third over of their batting innings.
Staring down the barrel at 14 for 4 with only three overs of their batting innings completed, Sri Lanka were at risk of being bowled out for less than a hundred runs. A magnificent batting display form talisman Angelo Matthews would see the islanders get within 10 runs of the English total. His 73 off 54 balls was an absolute gem of an innings and he really didn’t deserve to end up on the losing side.
The Proteas will have to ensure Matthews doesn’t get going again as he is well capable of taking a game away from opposing sides. Another man that South Africa will have to keep quite is Sri Lankan opening bat Tillakaratne Dilshan. The veteran is one of the most innovative batsmen in the game. He is able to manipulate the field will imaginative scoops and clever flicks as well as good old fashioned foot work.
If the South Africans are to win this one they are going to need their star-studded top order to fire. They also going to need Imran Tahir to do what he does best and pick up some big wickets.
Verdict: Quinton de Kock – Top South African Batsmen 3/1
The hard-hitting left-hander is in immaculate touch at the moment and at 3/1 he offers a great return.
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