FANTASY
Follow UsAfter narrowly beating South Africa by 14 runs, Sri Lanka will be expecting a more tenacious performance from the visiting team who will be without captain Temba Bavuma for the second ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Lack of partnerships had derailed South Africa's chase while the injury to Bavuma snapped their momentum in the middle overs. Middle-order batsman Reeza Hendricks is likely to replace Bavuma.
Head-to-head in ODIs
Overall: 77 | Sri Lanka - 32 wins | South Africa - 44 wins | Tie/NR - 2
Last 5 matches: Sri Lanka - 1 win | South Africa - 4 wins
Suggested team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Based on your preferences, the platform will guide you to create the ideal fantasy XI.
Ground details
As seen in the first ODI, the flat surface at Colombo is likely to aid spinners and batters on Saturday. The spinners have claimed 62.3% of the wickets on this surface in 2021. They have struck once every 38.5 deliveries with the pacers getting a wicket every 46.9 balls. Having two wrist spinners is a good option given they have picked up for 17 out of the 55 wickets that fell this year. Having finger spinners is also a good option given the way Akila Dananjaya has bowled in the first match. Finger spinners have claimed 16 wickets from the total. Having four spin options and two medium pacers is the best way to go.
Captain
Avishka Fernando was splendid in the first match scoring 118 off 115 balls as he barely troubled by the likes of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi. More impressive was his ability to stitch together partnerships which paved the path Sri Lanka's total of 300. He will be expected to continue his good form in the second match.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Fernando could score 58-88 runs in this match
X-Factor
Aiden Markram was the lone fighter for South Africa with 96 but a set of unfortunate events saw his efforts go in vain. With 177 runs from five innings this year, the batter is slowly finding form and will look to continue it in the second match.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Markram could score 40-60 runs in this match
Keshav Maharaj has been South Africa's most economical ODI bowler this year at 4.4 runs per over. He was the best bowler for South Africa in the first match with figures of 2-30 including a maiden over which no other teammate had managed to do.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Maharaj could pick up 1-2 wickets in this match
Janneman Malan was excellent in the first powerplay alongside Markram in a with a 49-run opening partnership, but was foxed by Wanindu Hasaranga. He is the top scorer for South Africa this year with 354 runs from four innings which also include two fifties and a century.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Malan could score 45-67 wickets in this match
Here are the top-10 picks as per Criclytics projected points –
Predicted Line-ups
Sri Lanka XI : Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka (C), Akila Dananjaya, Minod Bhanuka (WK), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Praveen Jayawickrama.
South Africa XI : Rassie van der Dussen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Reeza Hendricks, Keshav Maharaj (C), Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne.
