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In heat and humid Delhi, it could possibly be South Africa’s batters vs Sri Lanka’s spinners

Big image – Delhi situations could possibly be Sri Lanka’s good friend

Sri Lanka might hardly have picked a more durable opponent to face first up on the World Cup than South Africa.

The Sri Lankans come into this sport with massive query marks over their batting and have an injury-weakened bowling assault; South Africa, in distinction, appear to be a well-oiled machine, primed for the flat tracks this World Cup is predicted to supply.

Where South Africa might need some issues is of their bowling. With Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala dominated out with damage, they’re missing a little bit of chew up entrance and on the dying. Then, within the spin division, too, with simply Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi obtainable, their choices usually are not as assorted as is the case with another groups (corresponding to Sri Lanka). But they greater than make up for this with a batting line-up in effective fettle.

Indeed, whereas Sri Lanka fret concerning the lack of power-hitters at six and 7, South Africa have stacked their line-up with them. At the highest, there’s Quinton de Kock, and if he does not get you, nicely, then there’s the center order of Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. And that is all earlier than you get to the lower-middle order, which has Marco Jansen and Andile Phehlukwayo. Of them, solely Phehlukwayo strikes at lower than 90 (88.04) in ODIs.

Sri Lanka have only a solitary batter within the high six hitting at above 90, Kusal Perera. But he is simply getting back from damage and it isn’t sure he can churn out runs constantly over 50 overs.

In phrases of others who can rating massive runs quick, Kusal Mendis is the apparent shout, however even along with his blistering 158 laying a platform, Sri Lanka’s lower-middle order wasn’t capable of capitalise in opposition to Afghanistan of their warm-up sport. There is solidity after that in Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva, but when fast runs are wanted, there actually solely is Dasun Shanaka, who has been in such woeful latest type that he was practically dropped from the squad altogether.

Fortunately for Sri Lanka, this sport is going down in Delhi. On a pitch that’s normally gradual and crumbly, Sri Lanka have the proper bowlers.

In their final 15 video games, Sri Lanka have bowled out the opposition in 14. Sure, the benefit with which each Bangladesh and Afghanistan brushed them apart within the warm-ups highlighted the duty their bowlers are prone to face, however in Delhi, they may simply have their method.

Maheesh Theekshana’s imminent return from damage will make a world of distinction. In Dunith Wellalage and Dhananjaya, they’ve greater than succesful spin choices to check the South Africa line-up.

South Africa too will not have fond recollections of Delhi, with their final outing there in October 2022 seeing them skittled for 99. Though if the floor seems extra just like the one which was in place throughout their T20I chase of 212 only a few months previous to that, Sri Lanka may have their work reduce out for them.

Form information

South Africa WWWLL (final 5 accomplished matches, most up-to-date first)
Sri Lanka LWLWW

In the highlight: Markram and Theekshana

While Klaasen is undoubtedly South Africa’s man of the second, ticking together with him has been Aiden Markram, who’s within the midst of the perfect yr of his ODI profession. His 11 innings in 2023 have to date introduced 577 runs at 64.11 and a strike charge of 119.70 – considerably above his profession figures of 35.42 and 96.35 – to go along with an equally spectacular report in T20Is and Tests. He has the flexibility and resolve to navigate gradual turners, which might show essential in Delhi, particularly within the center overs, the place Sri Lanka throttle with spin so nicely. That Markram has a strong report in opposition to Sri Lanka – second solely to his report in opposition to Australia amongst Test-playing nations – is a bonus. If the Delhi floor is conducive to show, Markram’s expertise could possibly be huge.

Maheesh Theekshana has solely ever performed one ODI in opposition to South Africa. It was his debut, and he picked up 4 for 37 to take Sri Lanka to a 78-run win. Since then, Theekshana has gone from energy to energy, with 2023 specifically seeing him turn into a lynchpin in Sri Lanka’s assault – he has 31 wickets this yr to date. A hamstring damage stored him out of the Asia Cup remaining and Sri Lanka’s two warm-up video games, however a match and firing Theekshana might present simply the sting Sri Lanka want.

Team news

South Africa’s batting just about picks itself when everyone seems to be totally match, but it surely’s within the bowling the place there is a little bit of uncertainty. While Maharaj is a shoo-in, in the event that they do select to go along with Shamsi as an additional spin possibility, Phelukwayo might make method.

South Africa (possible XI): 1 Temba Bavuma (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Gerald Coetzee, 9 Andile Phelukwayo/Tabraiz Shamsi, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Kagiso Rabada

Sri Lanka would have been sweating on Perera’s health after he appeared to tweak his shoulder of their warm-up sport in opposition to Bangladesh, however there’s optimism that he’ll be handed match. If he misses out, Dimuth Karunaratne will possible take his place on the high. Theekshana can also be anticipated to return to the line-up having recovered from a hamstring damage.

Sri Lanka (possible XI): 1 Kusal Perera, 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Dilshan Madushanka, 11 Lahiru Kumara

Pitch and situations

Spin specifically might show helpful in Delhi, not like in different components of India, and it is historically not been a high-scoring venue – 300 had been topped solely twice in ODIs, and final in 2011. The climate is predicted to be scorching and humid with highs of round 37 levels Celsius, so batting first is likely to be the play.

Stats and trivia

  • The final time Sri Lanka performed in Delhi, in 2009, the match was known as off due to a harmful floor

  • In 26 ODIs, solely twice have 300-plus scores been recorded on the venue

  • In six World Cup video games between them, South Africa have gained 4, together with the final three, with one ending in a tie. Sri Lanka’s solitary win got here of their first trade, in 1992

    • Quotes

    “The biggest thing is our character. You’ll hear a lot of guys speak about our resilience. I think that’s something that really stands for us in good point. There’s also a willingness or desire from guys to put in the big performances for the team.”
    Temba Bavuma is backing his gamers to carry out underneath strain

    Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com

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    2023/24 articles icc cricket world cup news preview SA SL South Africa Sri Lanka
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