cricket.proteast20150The second T20 between South Africa and Sri Lanka takes place at Supersport Park, Centurion on Friday and after coming through a Super Over on the right side in the series opener, the Proteas are 1-0 up with two to play.

 

 

 

The first match of the series was staged at Newlands on Tuesday and it produced a thrilling conclusion. The Proteas had started as short price favourites but Sri Lanka fought gamely to take the match to the wire.

 

 

South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first in Cape Town on Tuesday and there was a surprise at the start with David Miller taking the gloves and Quinton de Kock deployed in the outfield. Miller took a second ball catch and claimed the stumping of Sri Lanka’s top scorer Kamindu Mendis (41) as the visitors struggled to 134/7 in their 20 overs. Andile Phehlukwayo (3/25) was top SA bowler.

That target looked nowhere near big enough and with South Africa at 118/3 it looked like game over. When van der Dussen (34) David Miller (41) fell in quick succession Sri Lanka had a glimmer of hope and tight death bowling (Malinga 2/11 from 4 overs) led to a Super Over.

Man of the Match Miller hit 12 of the Proteas 13 runs off Malinga’s Super Over and Tahir conceded just 5 to give South Africa the series lead.

 

The Proteas have named the following squad for the remainder of the series.

Squad for 2nd and 3rd T20Is: JP Duminy (c), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.

This was how Sri Lanka lined up at Newlands.

Sri Lanka:  Lasith Malinga (c) Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay

Did not play; Sadeera Samarawickrama, Asitha Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Priyamal Perera

 

The Venue, Supersport Park, Centurion

The Proteas have won 4 and lost 4 of their T20 internationals at Centurion

The most recent T20 at this venue saw Pakistan post 168/9 in February this year and South Africa came up 27 runs short in the chase.

 

Head to Head

Overall the teams have met 11 times with South Africa winning 6 (inc 1 Super Over) and Sri Lanka winning 5.

On South African soil the Proteas have won 2 and Sri Lanka 2.

 

The Betting, WSB: Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R10,000 here

South Africa 4/10

Sri Lanka 2/1

Click here for all markets

Note prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.

 

Verdict:

Aiden Markram was not involved at Newlands but he has been in terrific form and on his home ground it would be a surprise if he was left out again. Markram gets our vote in the Man of the Match market.

For an even more speculative play, Udana, who can hit a long ball is taken as the player to hit the most 6’s

 

Suggested Bets: Man of the Match, Aiden Markram at 12/1

Player to hit the most 6’s Udana at 20/1 BET HERE

 

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