Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
South Africa vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Preview Dream11. SA vs SL 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
Two matches down. Has this series told us anything we don’t know already?
South Africa came into this series on the back of three straight series wins. However, their batting had a question mark about it. Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis are the linchpins of the batting line up, and stepped up superbly in a dominant Johannesburg performance. However, with the middle order asked to step up in Centurion, they collapsed, which then raised further questions about the Proteas’ batting capabilities. They won the game easily in the end thanks to their quality attack, but better performances are needed. Will they seal the series here?
Sri Lanka continue to struggle in ODIs. Lasith Malinga pleaded with his batsmen to take advantage of opportunities such as Centurion, where victory was certainly in the realms of possibility. However, they offered very little with the bat, rolled for 138 in a World Cup year where things look increasingly bleak. Like Australia kept the series alive in India, Sri Lanka will have to do the same from 2-0 down, but they are playing nowhere near as well. Can they spring a surprise at the location where Kusal Perera pulled off one of the most amazing feats in Test history?
Key to a South Africa win
Last game man-of-the-match Quinton de Kock continues to remain key at the top of the order for South Africa. He delivered a superb start in Centurion, pouncing on anything loose en-route to 94. He will be key again in Durban, but South Africa will want good contributions from the likes of Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen as they look to build confidence ahead of the World Cup. With Faf du Plessis in fine form, South Africa can look to set a strong platform once again, giving another chance for a misfiring middle order to build on it.
Also, there is little doubt that South Africa’s bowling is their strength. The pace trio of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje were super dominant in Centurion, taking eight wickets between them. However, Durban is one of the more placid tracks in South Africa, which places onus on South Africa’s all-rounders and Imran Tahir to provide pressure and wicket taking prowess. Can the Proteas deliver early wickets once again and force another Sri Lankan collapse?
Key to a Sri Lanka win
Sri Lanka’s batting has been nothing short of a horror show in this ODI series. They collapsed from 195/4 to 231 in Johannesburg, and were then rolled for 138 in Centurion. While they have been blown away, there has been no shortage of starts, with a total of nine double-figure scores among top seven batsmen in the first two ODIs. Only Kusal Mendis has made a 50+ score to date, which places significant onus on the top order to give Sri Lanka a platform they can work off. However, the middle order has to also deliver.
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Also, can Sri Lanka deliver the goods with the ball? They were poor early in Centurion, feeding Quinton de Kock with plenty of width, half vollies and even full tosses. The South African opener will be a crucial wicket early for Sri Lanka, which then gives them the opportunity to target Faf du Plessis nice and early. Getting the better of both de Kock and du Plessis can be huge for Sri Lanka, given South Africa’s middle order is not inspiring too much confidence in recent times. Vishwa Fernando, if picked, has to be a lot better in providing a solid bowling effort alongside the likes of Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera and Akila Dananjaya.
Possible Playing 11
South Africa could possibly bring in Dwaine Pretorius for Wiaan Mulder. Also, Reeza Hendricks is in need of runs (1 and 29 this series), especially with Aiden Markram in unbelievable form in domestic cricket, with scores of 169, 139 and 85 in his last three outings. Also, the Proteas could look to rest Kagiso Rabada if they win this game.
South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Reeza Hendricks, 3. Faf du Plessis (c), 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. Wiaan Mulder, 6. David Miller, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Anrich Nortje, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Imran Tahir
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Given spin could play a role, Sri Lanka might look at bringing in Kamindu Mendis for Vishwa Fernando.
Sri Lanka: 1. Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2. Avishka Fernando, 3. Kusal Perera, 4. Oshada Fernando, 5. Kusal Mendis, 6. Dhananjaya de Silva, 7. Kamindu Mendis, 8. Thisara Perera, 9. Akila Dananjaya, 10. Lasith Malinga (c), 11. Kasun Rajitha
Dream11 Prediction
Key stats and points:
- Plenty of rain is expected on Sunday in Durban, so playing top order batsmen and opening bowlers is key.
- Quinton de Kock enjoys Kingsmead, scoring one century and one fifty in four innings. Faf du Plessis has two centuries in six innings.
- Oshada Fernando has looked in decent touch for Sri Lanka. Kusal Mendis, too.
- Kusal Perera returns to Durban, and could be worth picking.
- David Miller has a great record in Durban, averaging 66.57 in 10 matches. However, what opportunity will he get with rain expected?
- Imran Tahir vs Sri Lanka: 12 matches, 29 wickets, average: 15.31.
- With the match likely to be shortened and the pitch possibly aiding spin, playing one Sri Lanka spinner is an option (Mendis or Dananjaya).
- Kagiso Rabada averages 41 with the ball in five Kingsmead ODIs.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Stats and Facts
- Sri Lanka have never won an ODI at Kingsmead (three matches). This includes a famous tie that knocked South Africa out of the 2003 World Cup.
- South Africa have won six of their past seven ODIs at Kingsmead.
- Sri Lanka have lost their past five ODIs, and have not won a non-dead rubber ODI since January last year.
Match Prediction
I love an underdog and an upset, but can’t see that happening here.
If the weather enables a result, South Africa should win.
Thanks for reading!
South Africa vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Preview Dream11. SA vs SL 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
