LIVE | Proteas v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI – 2 September 2021

Hoping for some last minute white ball match experience before the impending T20I World Cup, the Proteas have arrived in the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ to embark on a series of three T20Is and three ODIs, the first of which begins on Thursday, 2 September at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

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The first ball is due to be bowled at 11:30 SA time.

Although leading the overall head-to-head register 16-7 and having won the last two encounters, Sri Lanka have won just two of their 11 ODI matches played in 2021 (L9). They will be hoping to build on the confidence and only success gleaned from their most recent three-wicket (DLS) victory at home over India which prevented a third series white-wash from their last four played.

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Due to the bans being served by key batsmen Kusal Mendis (ave 30.10), Danushka Gunathilaka (ave 47.00) and keeper/batsman Niroshan Dickwella (ave 32.20) for breaching Covid-19 protocols on their tour in England, the Lankans may yet again be forced to field an inexperienced side. Of the eleven players who took to the field in that match-winning eleven over India, six had played no more than seven matches. However, they have recalled ex-skipper Dinesh Chandimal, veteran of 149 ODIs, who was dropped after a poor tour of the Windies back in March.

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South Africa, ranked #5 in the world in this format, come into this series on the back of a 1-1 draw against lowly Ireland (#12). They haven’t won an ODI series since before the Covid-19 enforced hiatus (P3, D2, L1) when they beat Australia 3-0 at home in February 2020. Having arguably under-estimated the Irish opposition, the Proteas will be taking nothing for granted on this tour. They’ve reportedly been training hard at home in Potchefstroom, where they believe the conditions to be similar to those they’ll face in Colombo.

The Proteas have struggled in the lower middle order and subsequently welcome back bowling all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius (29 wickets at 28.03 – 4.77 rpo), who returns after COVID-19 kept him out of recent series’.

Players to watch

Left arm rookie spinner Praveen Jayawickrama introduced himself on the world cricket stage by ripping through the Indian top order (3/59) and boasts a List A average of just 18.45.

Meanwhile, the slightly more experienced Janneman Malan (SA) has already notched up two ODI centuries from just six innings and is averaging a whopping 120 at a SR of 94.23. He has recorded SA’s top score in four of his six career ODI innings, including the most recent three.

Stat attack

The average first innings score here in ODIs is 235.

Quinton de Kock has cleared the ropes in his last four ODIs as well as five of his last six in Sri Lanka.

In 36 run chases of 270 or more at the RPS, there have only been three successful attempts.

The team batting second has won the last four matches played by South Africa.

Dasun Shanaka owns a strike rate of 96.38, the highest of any specialist batsman on either side.