South Africa and Sri Lanka move on to Port Elizabeth for Wednesday’s fourth One Day International, the Proteas are already assured of a series win and now bid take another step towards a clean sweep.
Although rain was a factor in the third ODI in Durban on Sunday there was still enough game time for South Africa to confirm their dominance over Sri Lanka as the home side came out on top by 71 runs (DLS).
It was another wide margin win after the Proteas had won the series opener in Johannesburg by 8 wickets and the second contest at Centurion by 113 runs. We now have this match and the final game in Cape Town on Saturday before the tour closes with 3 x T20 Internationals next week.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl in Durban on Sunday and although Reeza Hendricks fell early Quinton de Kock was again in sublime form and this time he made no mistake in reaching his century before eventually falling for 121. Support came from van der Dussen (50) and David Miller was unbeaten on 41 at the end. The Proteas hit 4 maximums in posting their highest total of the series so far, 331/5.
The visitors lost early wickets and although the target was revised down after a lengthy rain delay to 193 from 24 overs they had way too much to do. Their innings closed on 121/5 with 41 from Kusal Mendis the top score and Imran Tahir was top SA bowler with 2/19 from his 5 overs.
This was how the teams lined up at Kingsmead on Sunday
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi,
Sri Lanka: Lasith Malinga (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Oshada Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isuru Udana, Kamindi Mendis
Note that South Africa have named the following squad for the final 2 ODI’s:
Proteas squad for 4th and 5th ODI: Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen
The Venue, St. Georges Park, Port Elizabeth
The Proteas have a mixed record here with 5 wins and 5 defeats over the last decade.
The most recent ODI on this ground came in January this year against Pakistan and South Africa lost by 5 wickets. Amla (108 not out) and van der Dussen (93) top scored in a bat first total of 266/2 but the required acceleration in the run rate never materialized and Pakistan chased it down with 5 balls to spare.
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 74 times in this format with South Africa winning 41 to Sri Lanka’s 31 with 1 tie and 1 no result.
With home advantage 31 meetings have seen South Africa win 23, Sri Lanka 7 and there has been 1 tie.
The Betting, WSB: Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R10,000 here
South Africa 11/20
Sri Lanka 14/10
Note prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
Verdict:
Sri Lanka are really battling to string partnerships together and although the Proteas look set to chop and change, we fancy they will hit the most sixes and win the match.
Elsewhere Kusal Mendis is coping as well as any of the visitors and he gets the vote to top score for Sri Lanka.
Suggested Bets: Match Specials, South Africa To Score Most Sixes & Win at 15/20
Top Away Bat Kusal Mendis at 4/1 BET HERE
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