The Proteas first action in the ICC Cricket World Cup comes from Delhi on Saturday where they start as favourites for their clash with Sri Lanka.
South Africa
Latest outright odds
To win the tournament 9/1 with BoyleSports
Top South African Tournament Batsman de Kock at 24/10
Top South African Tournament Bowler Rabada at 5/2
Squads and Team News
Squad: Temba Bavuma (C), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lizaad Williams
World Cup Form
South Africa won just 3 and lost 5 of their 9 round robin matches (1 no result) in CWC 2019 and never threatened the semi finals. The Proteas are bidding to make it to a CWC final for the first time.
Recent Form
South Africa hosted Australia in 5 match series last month and they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 with 3 wide margin confidence boosting victories. Their first scheduled warm up match against Afghanistan was completely washed out and they lost a rain affected warm up against New Zealand by (7 runs, DLS).
Sri Lanka
Latest outright odds
To win the tournament 42/1 with BoyleSports
Top Sri Lanka Tournament Batsman Nissanka at 4/1
Top Sri Lanka Tournament Bowler Theekshana at 2.55/1
Squads and Team News
Squad: Dasun Shanaka (C), Kusal Mendis (VC), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya
de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
World Cup Form
Sri Lanka won 3, lost 4 and were involved in 2 no results in CWC 2019 to finish sixth on the log, 1 place ahead of the Proteas. They won the title back in 1996 as one of 3 co-hosts and they were runners up in 2007 and 2011.
Recent Form
Sri Lanka came through qualifying unbeaten and they have lost just 2 of their last 16 ODI's, both to India. Two warm matches saw Sri Lanka beaten by Bangladesh by 7 wickets and by Afghanistan by 6 wickets (DLS).
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 80 times with South Africa winning 45 to Sri Lanka's 33 with 1 tie and 1 no result.
The teams last met in Sri Lanka in 2021 and Sri Lanka won a 3 match series 2-1.
The Betting
South Africa are currently trading at around 5/10 to win the game and Sri Lanka can be backed at around 14/10
Quinton de Kock and Bavuma are 33/10 joint favourites to top score for South Africa whilst Nissanka, Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis are all trading at 7/2 to do likewise for Sri Lanka
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
Sri Lanka could be upset material on their day but I take the view the Proteas hold too many guns in the batting department and will make a winning start.
Given the tournament is staged in India spin will be a huge factor but first up I fancy the pace of Rabada will see him finish this match as top SA bowler.
Kusal Mendis has been in good form in the run up to this tournament including a huge ton in the most recent warm up and he gets the vote to top score for Sri Lanka.
Finally I will take on one of Sportingbet's match specials for a small stake and go with de Kock to score a 50, Markram to hit a 6 and Rabada take 3+ wickets at 14/1
Bets: Top South Africa Bowler Rabada at 11/4 with Sportingbet
Top Sri Lanka Bat Kusal Mendis at 7/2 with Sportingbet
Match Special, de Kock to score a 50, Markram to hit a 6 and Rabada take 3+ wickets at 14/1 with Sportingbet
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Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Discussion Forum
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