Last Updated on 2 weeks by Charbel Coorey
CWC 2019 Match 35 – South Africa v Sri Lanka Preview Dream11. SA vs SL Preview Dream11 Prediction
As we now head close towards the final 10 games of the CWC 2019 group stage, one of these two sides is in Semi Final contention.
However, could anyone have expected it to be Sri Lanka? We have reason to thank them, for it is they who breathed life into the top four race with a win for the ages against England. The fact they haven’t played for a week is cause for some frustration, but if they bowl like they did against England, they will be a challenge for any team. Indeed, they can make Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan even more nervous.
It will be a surprise if they don’t challenge South Africa. Now that the Proteas are out of CWC 2019, one wonders how much they actually want to be there, with their poor body language exposed against Pakistan and throughout the tournament. It is incredible to think South Africa swept Sri Lanka 5-0 just a few months ago. Now, it is Sri Lanka vying for a Semi Finals spot. Can they spoil their day?
Key to a Sri Lanka win
It is a huge day for Sri Lanka. Much depends on whether they can hold their nerve in pressure situations, as well as how well they bat. A good batting display can put them level with England on eight points, but given Sri Lanka’s batting so far in CWC 2019, they need a significant improvement. Angelo Mathews had to fight to give Sri Lanka something to bowl at against England, so they need to convert starts at the top and win each stage of the innings – something that has been very rare over the past few years.
Also, can Sri Lanka put together another big bowling effort? They are up against a struggling batting lineup, and can create further pain for the Proteas with early wickets. Lasith Malinga led the way last week, rolling back the clock to deliver a performance for the ages – along with his teammates – that dismantled England right throughout the innings. Can Sri Lanka do it again today? Will they take all the chances that come their way, or will the pressure of the occasion get the better of them?
Key to a South Africa win
A nightmare campaign for the Proteas is underpinned by the lack of impact from their batsmen. In addition to the problem of converting – 22 top seven batsmen have been dismissed for 30+ scores in CWC 2019 without converting to a century – none of their specialist batsmen are striking at at least 90. It remains to be seen if South Africa play with freedom today, and their batting will go a long way to determining that. Will we see a century today?
Also, South Africa’s bowling – meant to be their strength, hasn’t been too flash. Their performance against Pakistan was reflective of a side willing to get on the plane back home, failing to withstand any pressure Pakistan put back on them. Kagiso Rabada needs to find the will to go again after a big workload and encounter with Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis, leading the way to help South Africa get to the death overs with Sri Lanka under huge pressure.
Also read – Rant: Pathetic body language from the Proteas exposed
Pitch and conditions
This is the first game at Chester-le-Street in Durham in CWC 2019. A fresh pitch is expected with some possible assistance for the bowlers early on.
Possible Playing 11
Nuwan Pradeep is in doubt with a fever. Suranga Lakmal could come in.
Sri Lanka: 1. Dimuth Karunaratne (c), 2. Kusal Perera (wk), 3. Avishka Fernando, 4. Kusal Mendis, 5. Angelo Mathews, 6. Jeevan Mendis, 7. Dhananjaya de Silva, 8. Thisara Perera, 9. Isuru Udana, 10. Nuwan Pradeep/Suranga Lakmal, 11. Lasith Malinga
JP Duminy could get a run for South Africa as his ODI career comes to an end.
South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Hashim Amla, 3. Faf du Plessis (c), 4. Aiden Markram/JP Duminy, 5. Rassie van der Dussen, 6. David Miller, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Chris Morris, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Imran Tahir
Dream11 Prediction
Also read: Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision
Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head in World Cups: Matches 5, South Africa 3, Sri Lanka 1, Tie 1.
- South Africa thrashed Sri Lanka 5-0 just three months ago.
- South Africa and Sri Lanka have played some memorable matches in World Cups. In 2003, the Proteas miscalculated the D/L par score, finishing level with Sri Lanka which wasn’t enough to qualify out of the group stage at home. In 2007, Lasith Malinga took four in four balls to get Sri Lanka so close to an unbelievable win.
- Sri Lanka will be level with England if they win today.
- Lungi Ngidi has taken 18 wickets in nine innings against Sri Lanka at an average of 18.8.
Match Prediction
South Africa have been nothing but a let down in CWC 2019. They look a team that is keen to get on the plane back home, which makes it very hard to back them today.
Sri Lanka have so much to play for, and there is every chance they will be a lot more up for this game compared to South Africa. Sri Lanka to win.
Also read: Check out my five talking points from every CWC 2019 game! The latest:
Pakistan v New Zealand: Brilliant Babar emulates his idol Virat Kohli
England v Australia: Kevin Pietersen is mighty nervous now
Thanks for reading!