The second ODI between Sri Lanka and South Africa takes place in Dambulla on Wednesday and the Proteas are looking to extend their lead in the series after a convincing win in the opener on Sunday.
The Proteas were slight favourites to win the first ODI and they obliged with a comfortable 5 wicket victory.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first at the weekend and they were quickly in deep trouble. Rabada struck twice in the first 3 overs and by the end of the ninth over Sri Lanka were in tatters at 36/5. Thereafter Kusal Perera (81) and Thisara Perera (49) launched a fightback, scoring quickly and taking the total to 128 when Thisara fell. Kusal continued to show his colleagues how it should be done but the innings closed on 193 all out and 12.3 overs were left unused. Rabada and Shamsi both took 4 wickets for the Proteas and Sri Lanka’s innings contained just the 1 maximum.
The Proteas lost Amla and Markram early in the chase but Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis both made 47 and JP Duminy was unbeaten on 53 at the end. The chase was completed in 31 overs with the Proteas hitting 3 maximums and Dananjaya was the pick of the home sides bowlers with figures of 3/50 in his 10
Shamsi edged the Man of the Match award and the teams remain in Dambulla for this second match although this one is a day / night contest so conditions could be different.
Betting – Match Result
Sri Lanka 13/10
South Africa 6/10
Note: Prices are an average of what was available at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict:
After a dismal time of it in the test series which preceded this tour the Proteas needed that victory on Sunday and they should take plenty from it in terms of confidence after a 5-1 hiding at home to India earlier this year. Sri Lanka’s top order are now the ones under the microscope after their horror show at the weekend and only 2 of their batting line up looked comfortable.
Kusal Perera was easily the most impressive of the Sri Lankan batsmen in the first match and he is taken to go in again as the Sri Lankan top bat.
Bet: Top Home Batsman, Kusal Perera at 33/10
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