South Africa take on Sri Lanka in the first of five ODIs of the series. The game will be played at Paarl and the hosts go into the game, having won the Test series preceding the ODIs.
Sri Lanka have won only 12 of 35 ODIs they have played in South Africa and that is the one statistic that will haunt the tourists. At best of times, South Africa isn’t the best place for the sub-continent teams to win matches but with the hosts hurting from their second Test match defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka, this will be a huge test for the tourists.
South Africa will be led by AB de Villiers, their new captain, who missed the ODIs against Australia. The experience of Graeme Smith at the top of the innings will be present, as will the likes of deputy-captain Hashim Amla, all-rounder Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy – all of whom will be eager to get among runs.
De Villiers will also be boosted by his own batting – he was the man of the series in the Test matches against Sri Lanka. Nothing like the captain being happy with his form, especially at the early stage of his captaincy career.
Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel should lead the attack with South Africa having the option to play Lonwabo Tsotsobe as their third seamer and Albie Morkel as a batting all-rounder. Johan Botha, who had a decent Big Bash League in Australia, should lead the bowling attack.
Sri Lanka will be without their best batsman in the Test series, Thilan Samaraweera, and their hope will be pinned on Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Dinesh Chandimal is touted to be an excellent talent, and his two half-centuries in the Test series bear testimony to that. He will hope to provide solidity to the Lankan middle-order, struggling in part due to captain T Dilshan’s inability to provide them with quick starts.
Angelo Mathews is due for a big one after consistent failures but the good news is that he should bowl for the side after having overcome his fitness issues. Lasith Malinga will be a welcome addition to the bowling reserves as he will add a lot of incision to the attack. Dilhara Fernando and Dhammika Prasad should both make it to the playing 11, with Rangana Herath as their only spinner.
South Africa will be favourites here.
The South Africa v Sri Lanka 1st ODI begins at 12.30 pm GMT on January 11.
