Sri Lanka Cricket team have already lost the five-match series to South Africa losing the first three games of the series. However, they will look to bounce back in the series to revive some pride and confidence ahead of the ICC World Cup when they face the host on March 13 at the St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.
Lanka have everything to play for
While Sri Lanka outplayed the Proteas to win the Test series, they have failed to replicate that form in the ODIs so far. The visitors have not only struggled to put up a commanding total – their highest score has been the 231 from their first ODI – but also managed to pick just 17 wickets across three games. The visiting side will rely mostly on Thisara Perera, Oshada Fernando and Kushal Mendis to do the job for them with the bat. Although they have got starts in all the games, big scores are yet to come. They will eye the fourth ODI to change the fortune of the side.
On the bowling front, it has been the same story as the bowlers have struggled to register more than two wickets in an innings. The management will want the experienced Lasith Malinga and Akila Dananjaya to step up for their side. Sri Lanka have four ODIs to make a statement and show they are worthy of a place in the ten-team mega event.
South Africa, on the other hand, have added Aiden Markram, JP Duminy, and Hashim Amla to the squad for the fourth and the fifth ODI. However, Amla will not join the side for the remainder of the series as he chose to spend time with his family with his father suffering from severe illness. The Proteas batsmen have finally got underway after failing in the first two games and will hope to continue their business.
Markram and Duminy are likely to slot back into the playing XI directly as selector Linda Zondi said that they would look to try all combinations ahead of the World Cup. The bowlers have also done a terrific job, and all eyes will be on leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who plays his second-last game in South Africa wearing the national jersey.
Date & Venue: 13 March, Wednesday, St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
Series Result
| Series | South Africa | Sri Lanka |
| 5 | 3 | 0 |
Predicted XI:
South Africa
| Player’s Name | Role |
| Quinton de Kock | Wicket-keeper/Batsman |
| Aiden Markram | Batsman |
| Faf du Plessis | Batsman |
| JP Duminy | All-Rounder |
| David Miller | Batsman |
| Dwaine Pretorius | All-Rounder |
| Andile Phehlukwayo | All-Rounder |
| Kagiso Rabada | Bowler |
| Lungi Ngidi | Bowler |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | Bowler |
| Imran Tahir | Bowler |
Sri Lanka
| Player’s Name | Role |
| Avishka Fernando | Batsman |
| Niroshan Dickwella | Wicket-Keeper/Batsman |
| Upul Tharanga | Batsman |
| Oshada Fernando | Batsman |
| Kushal Mendis | Wicket-Keeper/Batsman |
| Thisara Perera | All-Rounder |
| Kamindu Mendis | Bowler |
| Akila Dananjaya | Bowler |
| Isuru Udana | Bowler |
| Lasith Malinga | Bowler |
| Kasun Rajitha | Bowler |
Pitch Condition
The bowlers are likely to dominate the contest with the pitch offering some assistance. As a result, there are high chances that it will be a low-scoring tie at the Port Elizabeth.
Weather Forecast
While it has been raining in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, the forecast shows clear skies for the next day. However, given the weather conditions prevailing today, the DRS can come into play at any of the game on Wednesday.
Where to watch
The official broadcaster of the South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test series in India is Sony Pictures Sports Network. The viewers can watch South Africa vs Sri Lanka 4th ODI 2019 on Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD channels.
Match Prediction
The Proteas have so far dominated the series in all the departments and rightly so they have won the series 3-0 with two matches still to go. They will now aim for a clean sweep in a bid to complete the revenge for the Test series loss. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will look to pull back to reprive some of their lost pride.