South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Preview: The Proteas aim at settling nothing less than a series win

Sri Lanka are constantly running out of time as the World Cup 2019 is just within touching distance now.

Published - 09 Mar 2019, 17:53 IST | Updated - 09 Mar 2019, 17:53 IST

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Two highly one-sided encounters greeted the fans in the first two ODIs of the series between South Africa and Sri Lanka. The visitors were expected to put up a great fight in the 50-overs format as well just like they did in the Tests. However, their performances thus far in the series have been highly frustrating. There are quite a few areas that the Lankans will have to work upon. They are constantly running out of time as the World Cup 2019 is just within touching distance now.

The Proteas have absolutely decimated them in the first two games and will be riding high on confidence. However, there still seem to be a few chinks in their batting line-up. After getting off to a good start, South Africa should have clearly got a 300+ score in the second ODI. But, they ended up losing the last six wickets for just 31 runs which is a matter of concern. Nevertheless, they will eye at the series win as they enter into the third ODI.

Team Combinations

South Africa

The man in-form, Quinton de Kock will open the innings with Reeza Hendricks. Faf du Plessis might continue batting at No.3 as he has found some good success at this position. This implies that Rassie van der Dussen will have to continue batting at four. David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo and Wiaan Mulder will follow next in the line-up. Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi will be the four bowlers in the side.

Predicted XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Duessen, Faf du Plessis (c), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka could provide Avishkar Fernando with another opportunity. He will open the innings with Niroshan Dickwella. Oshada Fernando has been performing really well and is expected to play a big role in the middle-order. However, he needs to find enough support from Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis to do so. The bowling attack could see Isuru Udana in place of Vishwa Fernando. Udana adds depth to the batting line-up.

Predicted XI: Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Perera, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Malinga (c), Kasun Rajitha.

Focus will be on

Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa)

Rassie van der Dussen had a good start to his ODI career and seems to be a very dependable batsman. He had a poor outing in the last game but is expected to bounce back. He scored an unbeaten 80 at Kingsmead, Durban in the last match that he played here and helped bail his side out of trouble. There will be high expectations from him.

Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka)

Thisara Perera hasn’t played to his full potential so far in the series. The hard-hitting batsman failed to accumulate the runs and even wasn’t at his best with the ball. Perera is a game changer for Sri Lanka and he will look to make up for the poor outings in the first two games when he plays the 3rd ODI.