Sri Lanka vs. South Africa – 1st ODI Prediction

The Proteas have landed in Sri Lanka to take part in three One Day Internationals and two Test series. The two countries have played 56 ODIs ever since 1992, the Islanders have an upper hand by winning 28, the visitors were successful 26 times whereas one game was tied and another ended without any result.

Players to watch

Tillakaratne Dilshan was the highest run getter for the Lankan Lions recently in the five ODIs vs. England. Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and their skipper, Angelo Mathews, will look after the middle order batting. Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis and Nuwan Kulasekara are the in form bowlers.

The batting of the Proteas will revolve around Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis and the seasoned Jacques Kallis. Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Wayne Parnell are the lethal quick bowlers while Imran Tahir will be a prominent leg spinner.

Time & Venue

Sunday, July 6, 2014 @ 04: 15 GMT, 09:45 local at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Weather

Mostly cloudy and chances of rain with temperatures around 25-29ᵒC

Toss

The winning captain will opt to bat first

The Pitch

The overcast conditions will assist the bowlers and the batsmen will have to concentrate according to the situation.

Teams

Sri Lanka – Angelo Mathews (C), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Ashan Priyanjan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga.

South Africa – AB de Villiers (C), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phansigo, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn,

Prediction

Sri Lanka will be the favourite to clinch the encounter