Sri Lanka and South Africa will be up against each other in the third and last ODI of the series, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, on Tuesday, 7 September. The series currently stands level at 1-1.
South Africa struggled to find a decent opening partner for Quinton de Kock since Hashim Amla’s retirement. They have tried several options, but none consistent enough to grab the spot. But now, things seem to have fallen in place. With de Kock unavailable, the opening pair of Aiden Markram and Janneman Malan has done a great job.
Markram scored 96 in the first game, while Malan’s 121 was the highlight of the second. They are without their Temba Bavuma, but Reeza Hendricks stepped up to the occasion. Hendricks made 51 off 54 deliveries.
Kagiso Rabada has twisted his ankle, and is still not confirmed for today’s game. If he does does not recover, Anrich Nortje will replace him. Nortje was ineffective in the first ODI, and he was rested for the second.
They have no dearth of spinners. George Linde made his ODI debut in the last match, and is likely to retain his place. Stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi are two other spinners. Shamsi claimed a five-for in the last game.
Sri Lanka is likely to replace Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who is yet to open his account after two games, with Dinesh Chandimal. The hosts were let down by a top-order failure in the last ODI. They lost five wickets for just 61 before Charith Asalanka scored 77 in 69 balls.
Dushmantha Chameera leaked over seven an over in both games. Sri Lanka will expect more from their strike bowler. The spinners, Wanindu Hasaranga and Praveen Jayawickrama, have not quite tested the opposition either
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Pick Dinesh Chandimal and Heinrich Klassen as two wicketkeepers.
- Markram, Malan and Asalanka are ideal options for batters.
- Among all-rounders, pick Hasaranga and Linde.
Probable XIs
Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama
South Africa: Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada/Anrich Nortje, George Linde, Tabraiz Shamsi
Betway Fantasy Team:
Heinrich Klaasen, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka (vc), Janneman Malan (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Wanindu Hasaranga, George Linde, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dushmantha Chameera, Keshav Maharaj