SA vs SL, 2nd ODI: Fantain Fantasy Cricket Tips - Playing XI, Pitch report, Team combination

After the embarrassment of the Test series, South Africa put their best foot forward and got off the mark in the 5-match ODI series. Sri Lanka laboured to 231 and the hosts romped home by 8-wickets with 11-overs to spare. The big loss would have jolted Lasith Malinga and he will now have to rally his troops in quick time.

The 2nd ODI will be played at the SuperSport Park where the fast-bowlers will have something in them to work the new ball. That said, with the ball expected to come on quite well on to the bat, typical limited-overs stroke-play will be on display. Therefore, expect high scores here.

South Africa

The victory in the 1st ODI was a much-needed one for the hosts. And who better to lead the charge than skipper Faf du Plessis.

After the win, South Africa has no reason to change their XI. That said, with the World Cup around the corner, du Plessis will be tempted to hand the ‘regulars’ a go and try multiple combinations. With that in mind, Dale Steyn and all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo might be roped in for the 2^nd ODI. If this were to indeed happen, Kagiso Rabada and Pretorius might make way.

Likely Playing XI – 

Quinton de Kock(WK), Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis(C), van der Dussen, David Miller, Mulder, Phehlukwayo/Pretorius, Steyn/Rabada, Nortje, Imran Tahir, and Lungi Ngidi.

Sri Lanka

After the openers failed to get going, the middle-order batsmen get off to good starts but failed to convert. Centurion has never been a happy hunting ground for Sri Lanka and they’ll have to put in the hard yards to pull off a win here.

Keep an eye out on Udana as he might come in for Lakshan Sandakan.

Likely Playing XI –

Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella(WK), Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara, Akila Dhananjaya, Udana/Sandakan, Lasith Malinga, and Vishwa Fernando.

Hot Picks

Faf du Plessis: the skipper is undoubtedly the lynchpin of the South African batting line up. He’s had a fabulous start to the year and has carried the good form through to the ODI series

Quinton de Kock: much like his skipper, de Kock has been consistent through the course of the Pakistan series and in the Test series against Sri Lanka. He is the safest bet for your wicket-keeper batsman slot

Kusal Mendis: this talented batsman is set to fill the void left behind by Mahela Jayawardene. His 60 (73) could have turned into much more but it wasn’t to be on the night. That said, if you have to pick a batsman from Sri Lanka, it has to be Mendis

Dhananjaya de Silva: this middle-order batsman is vital for Sri Lanka’s plans with his quick scoring and bowling abilities. He is the perfect ODI cricketer and is a great pick for your Fantain XI

Imran Tahir: the leg-spinner might have announced his impending retirement but his skills haven’t faded one bit. His 3/26 showed that he could be your go-to spinner in this series.

Fantain Fantasy XI

KUSAL MENDIS              – BATSMAN                   – 9

F du PLESSIS (C)             – BATSMAN                   – 11

O FERNANDO                – BATSMAN                   – 7

KUSAL PERERA              – BATSMAN                   – 9

N DICKWELLA               – WK-KEEPER                 – 9

Q de KOCK                    – WK-KEEPER                 – 10

D de SILVA                    – ALL-ROUNDER             – 9

T PERERA (VC)           – ALL-ROUNDER             – 10

I TAHIR                         – BOWLER                     – 8

L NGIDI                         – BOWLER                     – 8

L MALINGA                   – BOWLER                     – 10

This is our Fantain Fantasy XI but you’re the real expert. So check-in to Fantain, enter the various contests on offer and remember, #PlaySmartWinBig