With so many dramas unfolding around them, much like a weekly instalment of your favourite series, being a South African cricketer is not an easy job. The World Cup squad has been announced, and these matches will be dress rehearsals for them. And every failure from here on will be a subject of contempt and ridicule, but less for the players and more for the management.
There was no place for T20I free agents in the World Cup squad. And Faf du Plessis scores a blistering, match-winning half-century in the Caribbean. Imran Tahir, who is also doing well in the same league, then talks about how he has been ghosted by the management.
There's no doubt South Africa would have been a much better team with the likes of du Plessis and Tahir in the side. But the current squad haven't really been a disappointment. They recently won the T20I series in West Indies, then defeated Ireland, and now are on a verge of taking an unassailable 2-0 lead against Sri Lanka.
South Africa won the first ODI by 28 runs, thanks to a comprehensive batting display from the top order. Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks added 73 runs for the opening stand before Aiden Markram's 48 propelled them to 163/5.
Keshav Maharaj conceded just 19 from his quota of four overs and picked up a wicket on his T20I debut. Tabraiz Shamsi was a bit expensive, conceding 20 off his 2 overs. Expect them to go unchanged from the opening T20I.
Sri Lanka could only manage 135/6 in 20 overs. Dinesh Chandimal made an unbeaten 66, and Chamika Karunaratne made 22 off 14 deliveries.
They were let down by their middle-order. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga combined for just 22 runs. Rajapaksa already has three ducks to his name, and he might not get into playing XI.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- De Kock and Dinesh Chandimal should be the two wicket-keepers of your fantasy XI.
- Pick Hasaranga as only all-rounder.
- Shamsi, Akila Dananjaya and Anrich Nortje are great bowling options.
Probable XI
Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj (c), Kagiso Rabada, Bjorn Fortuin, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
Prediction
South Africa should take an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Blitzpools Fantasy Team:
Quinton de Kock, Dinesh Chandimal, Aiden Markram (c), Avishka Fernando, Reeza Hendricks, Wanindu Hasaranga (vc), Tabraiz Shamsi, Akila Dananjaya, Anrich Nortje, David Miller, Heinrich Klassen
