Sri Lanka and South Africa meet in the first of three ODI’s at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday and we take a look at the game from a betting angle.

South Africa are back in action after a break and they play 3 ODI’s and 3 T20’s against the Sri Lankan side, all of the matches taking place at the R. Premadasa stadium.

Sri Lanka’s recent ODI form has been poor and their most recent action was a 2-1 home series loss to India in July. They had previously gone down 2-0 to England away in a three match series impacted by the weather and they have also lost to Bangladesh and the West Indies this year.

The Proteas will be happy to get down to some cricket given all the politics that has been flying around the last few weeks. Their last ODI outing was against Ireland where they drew the 3 match series 1-1 having fallen behind with a loss in the 2^nd ODI only to square the series with a convincing 70 run win in the 3^rd, the 1^st ODI was washed out.

You have to go back to April for their last ODI series against a top tier nation and they lost a 3 match home series 2-1 to Pakistan.

SQUADS

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Minod Bhanuka, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Binura Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Akhila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka, Pulina Tharanga, Maheesh Theekshana

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Junior Dala, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Janneman Malan, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams

1^st ODI BETTING – Click here to bet

Sri Lanka 27/20

South Africa 8/13

Suggested Bet: Sri Lanka win at 27/20

The Proteas are missing a few key players, most notably Quinton De Kock who has carried them in many of their matches of late. I also wonder what the mood in the Proteas camp is given all the sideshows and the resignation of assistant coach Enoch Nokwe.

At 9/10 the pair I would probably back the Proteas but as the betting stands Sri Lanka look the value play.

At the time of posting there are no top bat and top bowler markets priced up and if I spot anything in the exotic markets I will post another bet on Thursday night.

Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change