South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I, Preview: Full-strength Proteas look to continue the dominance in T20 cricket

The Lankans have lost all their games thus far in the limited-overs leg of the South Africa tour.

Published - 18 Mar 2019, 15:00 IST | Updated - 18 Mar 2019, 15:00 IST

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South Africa successfully clean swept Sri Lanka 5-0 in the ODI series. The hosts, captained by Faf du Plessis, have responded brilliantly to the loss in the Test matches. Now, the attention shifts to the T20 format of the game. South Africa will field their full-strength team only for the first game of this three-match series at the Newlands in Cape Town where the final One Day International was played.

After this match, the IPL stars will be released and all of them will fly to India. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, haven’t made many changes from its ODI squad. The Proteas will surely aim at drawing the first blood in the series given that things might get a little more difficult in the last two games. From Sri Lanka’s perspective, they will want to win this match and put pressure on the depleted Proteas side later on.

Team Combinations

South Africa

South Africa are likely to open the innings with Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks. One of Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen will bat at three while the other will bat at four. With JP Duminy coming back in, the middle-order looks quite stable. David Miller will be the floater in the line-up. Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, and Imran Tahir will shoulder the bowling responsibilities.

Predicted XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis (C), Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.

Sri Lanka

For Sri Lanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama is highly likely to open the innings with Niroshan Dickwella. Kusal Mendis will bat at three and will be followed by Angelo Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva. Thisara Perera will be the finisher while Isuru Udana will add depth to the batting line-up. Kamindu Mendis, Akila Dhananjaya, Lasith Malinga and Suranga Lakmat will complete the bowling lineup.

Predicted XI: Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Kamindu Mendis, Akila Dhananjaya, Lasith Malinga (C), Suranga Lakmal.

Focus will be on

Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

Quinton de Kock has been in scintillating form in recent times after becoming the leading run-scorer in the ODI series. He has forgotten what poor form is and is middling every single ball that he plays. The left-hander missed out in the final ODI and will be eager to notch up yet another big score, this time in the 20-overs format.

Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)

Kusal Mendis enjoys playing aggressive cricket. He scores at a strike rate of 145 and is capable of clearing the fence easily. However, consistency has been his biggest nemesis and the right-handed batsman will look to address that issue in the upcoming three-match series.