South Africa vs Sri Lanka: Proteas announce the ODI squad for the first three matches

South Africa were in for a shock as they lost to Sri Lanka in a home Test series 0-2 for the first time. It was also the first time that the Proteas have lost to an Asian side in a home series in the longer format. The two teams will now play in a five-ODI series as key preparation for the upcoming World Cup in May-July and the hosts came up with their 14-member squad for the first three matches on Sunday.

Young pacer Lungi Ngidi is back

South Africa saw the return of young fast bowler Lungi Ngidi who hasn’t played international cricket since meeting Australia in a T20I last November. Veteran batsman Hashim Amla, who despite his horrendous form overtook former SA captain Graeme Smith to become the country’s second-highest scorer in Tests, was left out. He scored a hundred and fifty in SA’s last ODI series against Pakistan while Faf du Plessis continues to lead the team.

South Africa and Sri Lanka will play their first three matches in Johannesburg (March 3), Centurion (March 6) and Durban (March 10) and even though the hosts have never lost to the Islanders in an ODI series at home, the recent Test series result could make the upcoming series a different ball game altogether.

The Proteas were walloped by India 5-1 in their den in the ODIs last year but came back well in the next two home series – against Zimbabwe (3-0) and Pakistan (3-2). They beat Sri Lanka 5-0 the last time the two teams played in a bilateral series in SA in 2016-17 and also 3-2 in Sri Lanka a few months earlier.

The selectors also picked the debutant Anrich Nortje for the series besides retaining Rassie van der Dussen who made his debut recently against Pakistan. The focus is clearly on instilling new blood ahead of the World Cup though there were a few experienced players like Du Plessis, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir and others as well.

South Africa squad for first three matches against Sri Lanka: Faf Du Plessis (C), Quinton De Kock, Andile Phehlukwayo, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Wiaan Mulder, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dwaine Pretorius, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen, Imran Tahir.

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