South Africa vs Sri Lanka ODIs: Series preview

After the historic triumph of Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series, they will now look for a similar upset in the ODIs. With the World Cup just a few months away, a win here would be a huge boost for them.

South Africa, on the other hand, would like to come up with a dominating performance to establish their supremacy over their Asian opponents in at least this format. The odds are as much in their favor for this contest as they were for the Tests. Needless to say, they can’t take the Sri Lankans lightly.

The visitors are without experience in their pace attack with many leading pacers out with injuries. But they have an able and proven performer, Lasith Malinga, as the captain. The lack of experience is present in the batting department also, but after the heroics in the Test series, the present crop of batsmen would be confident to do the job expected of them.

Proteas also have certain issues to sort out before the big event in England later this year. Most players in the team are settled but few have an opportunity to establish themselves.

So, let’s preview this five-match series and check out the major factors that will be at play here.

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#1 A crucial series for Amla even though he isn’t playing

Hashim Amla, who seemed destined to break every ODI record some time ago, has been kept out of the team for this series. The selectors have taken care to assert that he hasn’t been dropped. However, pressure had been growing on him and his lack of performances was putting his place in the team for the World Cup in doubt.

In his absence, the opener who is likely to pair with Quinton de Kock to open the innings is Reeza Hendricks. He already has an ODI hundred which he scored against Sri Lanka on debut in the away series last year.

The talent that he has shown is unmistakable and by scoring big runs, he could book his spot in the World Cup squad. However, Amla is too great a player to not get another chance. He will come back into the team and with his record, may well re-establish himself. Hendricks has to grab this golden opportunity to establish himself at the top of the order.

#2 Exciting young talent will be on display

Both teams have picked some youngsters who hold great hopes for their countries. Priyamal Perera scored back-to-back double tons recently in his country’s leading domestic 4-day tournaments. Whether he transfers his prolificity into international limited-overs cricket remains to be seen. Avishka Fernando, a 20-year old batsman, recently plundered 523 runs in a 5-match 50-overs series against Ireland A.

These two, if given an opportunity, would be watched keenly and with great hope. There is little time left for the World Cup and if these two want to make the cut for that tournament, they have to make an impact here.

Same is the case with Kamindu Mendis. His USP is being ambidextrous – the ability to bowl finger-spin from both arms. Variety is good but he has to also show some good old-fashioned skills for securing his place, no matter which way he delivers his overs.

Oshada Fernando played a lovely knock in the second innings of the second Test in the recently-concluded series. He now has an opportunity to perform in ODIs.

For the hosts, the man exciting great hopes is the express fast bowler Anrich Nortje who has already made a big impression. His high speeds resulted in a lucrative IPL contract and now he would have the opportunity to bowl alongside the likes of Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada.

The one man who has already made his name in international cricket is Rassie van der Dussen. His splendid batting in his debut series suggests there is a lot to watch out for from him in future.

Who knows, one of these young Turks may make the world sit up and take notice.

#3 Make-up of the Sri Lankan pace attack

Vishwa Fernando has emerged as the most exciting pacer from Sri Lanka after his exploits in the Test series. Now, he gets his opportunity to make an equally big impact in the ODIs. What works in his favor is the presence of Lasith Malinga in the team. With him at the helm, Fernando won’t have to be always in the lead.

Malinga is a certainty for the World Cup but the other spots are up for grabs. Thisara Perera is another likely name and his claims to the team are strengthened by his batting capabilities. The contest for other places would be between the likes of Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, and Lahiru Kumara.

While Fernando and Rajitha will stake their claim in this series, Kumara and others will have to wait for their injuries to heal. The trump card in the pack is Isuru Udana who is back in the team after a long time. He has been around for a long time and it would be interesting to see whether he has anything new to offer.

So, it can be said with some certainty that this is a very important series for the Lankans as it would give us some idea of the composition of their pace attack for the World Cup.

#4 A contest for places in the South African bowling Line-up

When the Proteas try to break their World Cup jinx, they would have the expertise of Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada to help them. The departure of Duanne Olivier is a setback, especially after his brilliant efforts this season, but the comeback of Lungi Ngidi is likely to fill that gap nicely.

Then, there are some other names vying for a spot in the line-up. Andile Phehlukwayo has been in the team for a long time and has managed to retain his place through consistent wicket-taking. However, those wickets have not always been the result of great bowling. He is yet to prove himself as a dangerous bowler who can get good wickets. His batting, though, is an asset.

Wiaan Mulder is in the team in the capacity of an all-rounder but his bowling didn’t seem too sharp in the series against Pakistan. He and Phehlukwayo may be fighting for the all-rounder’s spot in the team.

With Steyn, Rabada, and Ngidi certain to be the first choice options in a three-man pace attack, the fourth bowler spot is the only one available at the moment. Dwaine Pretorius seems the most capable bowler but he too is yet to settle at this level.

Amongst Nortje, Phehlukwayo, Pretorius, and Mulder, which one takes it is worth watching out for.