Published on: Mar 5, 2019 12:48 pm IST|Updated on: Mar 6, 2019 12:10 pm IST
The first ODI of the five-match series went to the hosts in South Africa, who put on a comprehensive display of cricketing skills against Sri Lanka. Both teams will be looking to do win this upcoming fixture, in order to position themselves better.
Match Details:
Venue – SuperSport Park, Centurion, South Africa
Date & TIme – 6th March | 04:30 PM IST
Generally speaking, the first game of an ODI series is a litmus test for both sides to see where they truly stand against each other. It gives them a better study of what needs to be done or what adjustments need to be made in order to get better.
With South Africa coming out with a victory, they are unlikely to tinker with the winning combination and back their strengths. Their captain Faf du Plessis and Quint de Kock are in tremendous form. Bowler Imran Tahir already has claimed that he will retire soon, and the motivation to make his remaining time worthwhile will be extremely high.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, were outclassed in every single department. They got bowled out of 231 runs in 47 overs and in reply were only able to take two wickets. The run-rate also didn’t favour them in both the innings, and the players will have to adapt to the conditions better, or else this series will end up being a whitewash.
They need to figure things out, as only two months are left for the ICC World Cup 2019 to start. This team does have some talent in them, all they need to know is find the right balance to go along with it.
South Africa – Faf du Plessis (c), Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Willem Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Quinton de Kock (wk),Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Rassie van der Dussen
Sri Lanka – Lasith Malinga (c), Lakshan Sandakan, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Oshada Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Perera, Kusal Perera, Priyamal Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Upul Tharanga, Isuru Udana
South Africa – de Kock, Hendricks, du Plessis, van der Dussen, Miller, Mulder, Pretorius, Rabada, Nortje, Tahir, Ngidi.
Sri Lanka – Dickwella, Tharanga, K. Perera, Fernando, Mendis, de Silva, Dananjaya, Malinga, Sandakan/Udana, Fernando
Key Players –
South Africa – Quinton de Kock | Faf du Plessis | Kagiso Rabada | I Tahir
Sri Lanka – Kusal Mendis | Lasith Malinga | U Perera