Sri Lanka vs South Africa – 1st T20 International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Sri Lanka vs South Africa taking place? Friday 10th September, 2021 – 15:30 (UK)
Where is Sri Lanka vs South Africa taking place? R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka
What is the expected weather for Sri Lanka vs South Africa? 28c, partly cloudy
What channel is Sri Lanka vs South Africa on? The match will be televised live on Foodxp (Sky channel 712)
Where can I stream Sri Lanka vs South Africa? The match can be streamed live using the SkyGo app
LAST MEETING
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 45 runs (DL method)
THE TEAM NEWS
SRI LANKA
- Sri Lanka came out on top in the ODI series with South Africa thanks to a brilliant bowling effort in their final contest but this will be a different challenge in the shortest form of the game.
- The Sri Lankans were able to defend their total of 203/9 thanks largely to a four-wicket effort from Maheesh Theekshana as he helped to bowl the Proteas out for 125 which meant that the hosts ran out 78-run victors.
- They will hope to build on that in this T20i series as they ramp up their preparations for the T20 World Cup which gets underway next month and there could be a spot in the side for Charith Asalanka after he notched 47 runs in the third ODI, taking his tally for the series to 196.
SOUTH AFRICA
- South Africa fell short in their quest overturn a 1-0 deficit in the ODI series as they failed to build on their victory in the second game with Sri Lanka dominating the final game to seal the series win.
- A poor effort with the bat cost the Proteas but they will be confident of putting that behind them with key man Quinton de Kock set to return to the fold for the T20 series after he was rested during the one-dayers.
- South Africa have performed well in their recent T20i outings, winning six of their last eight games and with the hosts struggling for form, this could be an ideal match for the tourists to build some momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup.
THE PREDICTION
Both of these teams will be desperate to carry some form into the
upcoming T20 World Cup but it is the hosts that arguably have the
greatest amount of work to do having won just three of their last 17
T20i matches. They come up against a South African side with six wins
from their last eight so their form looks very different ahead of this,
although the form of the tourists over a longer period is not as good
having won just two of the last eight series in which they have taken
part in. However, they can put their ODI disappointment behind them by
getting off to a good start in this series to make it four straight T20i
victories against the hosts.
