South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I, Preview: Visitors look to bounce back against a depleted Proteas side

Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock won't be a part of the upcoming encounter.

Published - 21 Mar 2019, 12:53 IST | Updated - 21 Mar 2019, 12:53 IST

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No game in the recent times would have left you glued to your seats as much as the 1st T20I between South Africa and Sri Lanka at the Newlands in Cape Town did. This ‘super over’ thriller was a spectator’s delight and was great fun to watch. The Lasith Malinga-led Lankans came extremely close yet was quite far away from a victory. Little better efforts from their batsmen would have handed over the visitors an easy win.

Their bowling in the match was inspirational and the way they pulled things back was nothing short of a fairytale. Sri Lanka will draw a lot of confidence from this win and will look to get over the line when they take on a depleted Proteas side in the 2nd T20 International tomorrow at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Team Combinations

South Africa

South Africa side will look quite different from what it was for the first T20I. Since there isn’t a specialist wicket-keeper in the side, David Miller could don the gloves. Also, Faf du Plessis isn’t available and JP Duminy will lead in his absence. Quinton de Kock’s absence could pave way for Aiden Markram at the top of the order. Chris Morris is likely to come in along with Dwaine Pretorius. Tabraiz Shamsi will replace Imran Tahir.

Predicted XI: Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy (C), David Miller (WK), Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Dale Steyn, Lutho Sipamla, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Sri Lanka

Niroshan Dickwella has been struggling to bat on this tour. Thus, Sadeera Samarawickrama is likely to replace him. Sri Lanka will also explore the option of replacing Dhananjaya de Silva with Priyamal Perera. The rest of the side is likely to be the same.

Predicted XI: Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama (WK), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva/Priyamal Perera, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Kamindu Mendis, Akila Dhananjaya, Lasith Malinga (C), Jeffrey Vandersay.

Focus will be on

JP Duminy (South Africa)

JP Duminy will have a greater responsibility in the last two matches as he will be leading the side. He looked to be in good touch ever since he made his comeback into the side. He is likely to bat higher up the order and will have to hold the middle-order together. His role with the ball will also be equally important.

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Lasith Malinga might not have executed his plans well in the super over in the 1st T20I. But it was due to his efforts that the game went into the super over. He only conceded 1 run in the 19th over and reminded the fans Malinga of the old. He picked up two wickets game gave away just 11 runs in his 4 overs and will have a critical role to play in the upcoming game.