ICC World Cup 2019: Match 35, Sri Lanka vs South Africa – Statistical Preview

At the start of the tournament, not many would have thought Sri Lanka will be in the race to finish in top four with South Africa being nowhere close. However, some poor performances from Faf du Plessis-led side saw them bag five defeats in seven matches. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has six points from six matches including two washouts. The victory against England has ensured them a chance of finishing in top four despite losing one of their remaining three matches.

All the major stats and numbers ahead of Sri Lanka’s key match against South Africa:

2 – Sri Lanka won as few as two of their last 18 ODIs against South Africa. The two Lankan wins against the Proteas came during the last year’s 5-match ODI series at home after the Proteas a won the first three games.

2 – Sri Lanka played two ODIs at the Chester-le-Street – in 2006 and in 2014 against England. They ended up winning both matches by big margins. South Africa have not played an ODI at this venue, however, won the only T20I here in 2012 where they faced the hosts.

5 – Number of matches South Africa lost in this World Cup; the most they lost in a single edition of the event. The Proteas lost six matches in an ODI series/tournament only twice. They lost six out of ten matches they played during the 1993/94 World Series in Australia and all six they played during the 1994 Wills Triangular Series in Pakistan.

5.83 – Lasith Malinga concedes runs at an economy of 5.83 in ODIs against South Africa. Among the teams against which Malinga played more than one game, he has a worse economy rate against India only (6.01). Overall, in 23 ODIs against the Saffers, Malinga bagged 36 wickets at an average of 29.16.

15.03 – Imran Tahir averages 15.03 with the ball in ODIs against Sri Lanka. Across 14 ODIs against Sri Lanka, Tahir bagged 33 wickets at a strike rate of 22.9 and claimed two 4-wicket hauls.

1000 – As many as three batsmen in South Africa’s current line-up have scored over 1000 runs in ODI cricket against Sri Lanka. Quinton de Kock has 1104 runs in 23 innings at an average of 50.18 while his opening partner Hashim Amla amassed 1063 runs across 20 innings at 53.15. Skipper Faf du Plessis has also scored 1070 runs from 25 innings at 48.63 per dismissal.

1992 – Last time Sri Lanka defeated South Africa in World Cup was back in 1992. South Africa got better of the Lankans in 1999, 2007 and 2015 while the game in 2003 ended in a Tie.