Sri Lanka and South Africa in keen tussle in series

by Ranjan Anandappa

The buoyant Sri Lankans, after their recent heroics, first in the sub-continent, winning the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, and thereafter a series win in the ODI’s (3-2) and a Test series win 1-0 for the first time against England, will confront an equally strong South African outfit. The first of their three match ODI series in a day game, will be played at R. Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama today.(Sunday).

The cock-a-hoop Lankans, although playing in their own back yard should definitely come across stiff competition against the South Africans. However, going back, the Protease records against the Lankans show that it is not the best in comparison to their performance against India, Pakistan or Bangladesh in the sub-continent.

The South Africans has lost 13 of there 16 ODI played in Sri Lanka in the past. In 1993 the visitors came close to winning a ODI series when a three match series ended in a 1-1 draw after the first one was washed out.

South Africans ready for battle

The South African captain A.B.de Villiers said that he is aware of the Sri Lankan capabilities at home and it is a pleasure to meet them while they are in great form after their recent wins.

He was confident that his team will certainly be a force to be reckon with as they have rectified their past mistakes and ready to insert the pressure on the Lankans.

“With their recent success winning the T20 World Cup and the success at the recent tour of England, we know it’s not going to be easyand we have got a hand full now and for them to achieve that results in England is a wonderful effort.” said De Villiers.

Angelo Mathews determined to perform well

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews rated the victorious tour of England was all history and would like to concentrate on what is at hand right now.

“We just want to take it game by game series by series, play positively as we have done in the past and gradually we could reach the rankings.

We should take one game at a time and do the right thing and take one game at a time.’ said Mathews.

The two sides first met in a limited overs game way back in 1992 in a World Cup qualifying round match in Basin Reserve, Wellington , New Zealand. The South Africans took part in a World Cup competition for the first time jointly held in Australia and New Zealand after the apartheid policies were lifted.

Sri Lanka defeated a strong South African team by 3 wickets. In that tournament Sri Lanka was led by Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s win scoring an unbeaten 64 and taking two valuable wickets which made him the man of the match. South Africa was led by Kepler Wessels. South Africa batting first scored 195 in 50 overs with Wessels (40) and Peter Kirsten (47) making the bulk of the runs.

Sri Lanka in reply reached 198 for 7 in the penultimate ball of the match with Ranatunga making a defiant 64 taking his side to victory. Roshan Mahanama also scored 68.

Alan Donald took 3 for 42. The last ODI between the two countries was played an year ago July 2013 where the host won the 5th ODI by 128 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Sri Lanka leads 28 to 26

The two countries have been engaged in 56 ODI’s where Sri Lanka has won 28 to the South Africans 26. One match had been a tie and one with a no result. Both sides are trying to find the fitting combination for the 2015 World Cup by introducing some young talent interspersed with experienced players.

The visitors have one of the amazing all-rounder of the game Jacques Kallis who has retired from Test cricket but will certainly make his presence felt in the ODI series. Their pace combination of Dale Stein who is rated as the best at the moment. Vernon Philander, Wayne Parnel and Morne Morkel are capable of extracting life from any surface and the spin of Imran Tahir should provide the visitors with a decent bowling attack.

A.B. de Villiers leads the visitors in the ODI series while Hashim Amla has been bestowed as the Test captain.

Couple of changes by Lankans

The Lankans, too, have made a couple of changes by drafting in seasoned opener Upul Tharanga along with left-hander Kithuruwan Vithanage. Former vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal has been dropped from the side for the ODI series, instead Upul Tharanga has been brought into the side. Tillekeratne Dilshan and Kusal Janith Perera subject to fitness most probably will opening the innings. Upul Tharanga should fit himself in the lower middle-order as he has done successfully in the past to add more muscle to the batting.

The controversial off-spinner Sachitra Senanayake’s bowling action came under scrutiny while playing in England. He played a prominent role in Sri Lanka’s ODI series win in England. He is also included in the side with the other spinner Ajantha Mendis. With T20 and ODI specialist Lasith Malinga an automatic choice, it should be a tussle between Nuwan Kulasekera, Suranga Lakmal and Thisara Perera to fill the opening bowlers place.

Teams

Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (Captain), Lahiru Thirimanne (Vice-captain), Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Ashan Priyanjan, Upul Tharanga, Sachitra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal.

South Africa (from): A.B.de Villiers, (Captain), Hashim Amla, J.P. Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Ryan Mclaren, Quinton de Kock, Morne Morkel, Aaron Phangiso, Wayne Parnel, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Imran Thahir, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller.