Sri Lanka vs South Africa – 2nd One-Day International Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Sri Lanka vs South Africa taking place? Saturday, September 4th, 2021 – 09:30 (UK)
Where is Sri Lanka vs South Africa taking place? R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
What is the expected weather for Sri Lanka vs South Africa? 28-29c with a chance of thundery showers and light winds
What channel is Sri Lanka vs South Africa on? The match will not be televised in the UK.
Where can I stream Sri Lanka vs South Africa? The match will not be televised in the UK.
LAST MEETING
Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 14 runs.
THE TEAM NEWS
SRI LANKA
- Sri Lanka opener Avishka Fernando was largely to thank for them narrowly beating South Africa in the first ODI, after a fantastic 118 helped them accrue a winning total of 300.
- Charith Asalanka also contributed with 72, before the bowlers produced a tight all-round performance to restrict South Africa to 286/6 with Akila Dananjaya taking two wickets.
- Batter Kusal Perera was unable to recover from his shoulder injury to feature in the first ODI, but could come into the side here although after a victory Sri Lanka may look to field the same team.
SOUTH AFRICA
- South Africa’s middle order failed to get them over the line in their chase of 301, after opener Aiden Markham had laid down the foundations with a score 96 earlier in the innings.
- Once again, the absence of star player Quinton de Kock was felt by South Africa, although Keshav Maharaj continues to prove himself as a more than capable 50 over spin-bowling option, having taken two wickets at an economy rate of just three runs an over.
- Bowlers Junior Dala and all-rounder Dwaine Pretorious are both contenders to come into the side for this second ODI if the Proteas look to change things around following defeat.
THE PREDICTION
Clearly South Africa are missing a number of big players and the likes of De Kock and middle order slogger David Miller could have made the difference in the first ODI. However, the Proteas will still feel that they should have come out on top having kept wickets in hand for the majority of the chase. The tourists were ruthless in dismissing the Sri Lankan lower order, taking six wickets in the final ten overs of Sri Lanka’s innings and if they take a few early wickets in this second ODI, they are not likely to lose their grip on the contest. Expect South Africa to bounce back here and level the series with a victory.
