Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Image source: ICC |
In the seventh match of World T20 2018, we have two sides gearing up to play their first match of the tournament.
That is if the St Lucia rain relents.
Two sides struggling with the bat will be hoping to come good in the tournament proper. Who will get off to a winning start?
Sri Lanka have a point under their belt after a washout against England. Conditions presented the perfect opportunity for a game of water polo rather than cricket, but now that Sri Lanka have a point under their belt, can they take a big step towards an unlikely semi final appearance?
South Africa aren’t quite faring much better with the bat themselves, turning in underwhelming displays in their warm up matches. They only managed 72/9 (15.1 overs) and 79/9 (20 overs) against Pakistan and Australia respectively, and if they are to make a winning start, their batting needs to step up. Can they put on a strong showing first up?
Key to a Sri Lanka win
Captain Chamari Atapattu is a vital cog in Sri Lanka’s batting efforts. Recently, the Sri Lankans lost 4-0 against India, but they were able to score over 130 twice and over 150 once in the four completed matches. Despite four losses, there is reason to believe they can compete with the bat, but being bowled out for 98 and 85 against New Zealand and Ireland respectively in their warm up games was something the rain didn’t allow to be potentially exposed against England.
On the bowling front, who will step up for Sri Lanka? In those four defeats against India, they were unable to defend solid totals. Against a South Africa side looking to find its feet with the bat, Sri Lanka will be well placed with dot ball and wicket pressure. Can the likes of Oshadi Ranasinghe and Shashikala Siriwardene cause South Africa trouble?
Key to a South Africa win
Despite their batting shortcomings of late, South Africa possess some fine talents in Lizelle Lee, Chloe Tyron, Laura Wolvaardt and skipper Dane van Niekerk. Can these four in particular weather the Sri Lankan spin onslaught to put on a batting display that puts the rest of the tournament on notice? In the warm up games, South Africa were stuck, which is something to avoid here.
Possible teams
Sri Lanka: 1. Yasoda Mendis, 2. Chamari Atapattu (c), 3. Hasini Perera, 4. Shahikala Siriwardene, 5. 5. Eshani Lokusuriya, 6. Nilakshi de Silva, 7. Dilani Manodara, 8. Ama Kanchana, 9. Rebeca Vandort (wk), 10. Oshadi Ranasinghe, 11. Kavisha Dilhari
South Africa: 1. Lizelle Lee, 2. Laura Wolvaardt, 3. Robyn Searle, 4. Dane van Niekerk (c), 5. Marizanne Kapp, 6. Sune Luus, 7. Trisha Chetty (wk), 8. Mignon du Preez, 9. Chloe Tyron, 10. Zintle Mali, 11. Shabnim Ismail
Stats and Facts
- South are ranked sixth in the T20I rankings, Sri Lanka eighth.
- South Africa have a 3-2 head-to-head record in the last five T20Is vs Sri Lanka.
- Both sides scored sub-100 totals in each of their warm ups.
Prediction
If the rain relents, expect a low scoring clash.
This match is tough to predict, with both sides pretty even. But, South Africa have a little more to their batting, given Sri Lanka can rely plenty on their skipper to get the runs.
South Africa to win.
Thanks for reading!
