Sri Lanka vs. South Africa - 1st ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (formerly a swamp) - 14th August, 2006
Match Start Time = 09:00 GMT
South Africa (probables):
Herschelle Gibbs, Boeta Dippenaar, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher (c) (w), Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Johan van der Wath, Makhaya Ntini, Roger Telemachus, Loots Bosman, Dale Steyn, Robin Peterson, Thandi Tshabalala, Andre Nel
Sri Lanka (probables):
Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene (c), Kumar Sangakkara (w), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Malinga Bandara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Marvan Atapattu, Prasanna Jayawardene, Ruchira Perera
News & Tidbits
-
Sri Lanka are the favourites for the triangular Unitech Cup. Since 2000, they have won a staggering 45 out of 60 matches, with the winning percentage of a stunning 79. India, on the other hand, have won ten out of 23 this decade, but three of those victories were against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and the UAE. India also have a poor recent record against Sri Lanka, winning just one of their last six games.
-
Going by past record, though, the team which could struggle the most is South Africa: they’ve lost nine out of 13 matches in Sri Lanka since 2000, and, even worse, they have lost every time against the two other teams in the competition: against Sri Lanka their record is a dismal 0-8.
-
Shaun Pollock, who has lower back trouble, and Makhaya Ntini, who has a hamstring strain, were scheduled to undergo fitness tests, but the wet and swampy conditions prevented that. At his press conference, Mark Boucher, the South African captain, reckoned that Ntini might just make it, though he was less sure of Pollock. Pollock was also slated to bat at No.5, and if he doesn’t convince the physio by tomorrow morning, Ashwell Prince, who led in the Tests against Sri Lanka is expected to come in.
-
Muttiah Muralitharan has struggled for wickets against India at home. And though Marvan Atapattu is missing, Mahela Jayawardene, who appears to add layers to his accomplishment with each game in charge, and Kumar Sangakkara form a potent second line of attack.
-
The one Indian bowler who has enjoyed bowling to the Sri Lankans in their backyard has been Harbhajan Singh: in 14 matches, he has nabbed 21 wickets at an average and an economy rate which are both better than his corresponding career stats.
-
Munaf Patel and S Sreesanth - only one of whom is likely to play if Irfan Pathan is persisted with - can give as good as they get in the pace stakes, and RP Singh with his skiddy medium pace could also be an option on slow pitches. Most crucial though will be the spin component led by Harbhajan Singh. Sehwag has been in superb bowling form of late, and Yuvraj and Tendulkar, shoulder willing, will be other options if the need of the hour is to take the pace off the ball.