ICC World Cup 2019 – Match 35: SL vs SA – South Africa Predicted Playing XI

They might have been knocked out of the tournament but South Africa will still have to come out onto the field on two more occasions in the tournament. While they do not have much to play for, they can still look to be the party spoilers. The Proteas will face Sri Lanka in their upcoming encounter.

The Asian team will be put in a spot of bother if they lose this match. Since nothing seems to be going their way, South Africa might look to experiment and give chances to a few players who’ve mostly warmed the bench so far. However, the team has also got to win games and there is their pride at stake. So, what would be South Africa’s approach to this game?

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for South Africa

Openers (Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla)

The opening partnership seems to be a massive concern for South Africa. Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla have had their own shares of brilliance. However, the duo has failed to perform collectively which has been disappointing. It is important for de Kock and Amla to lay a good foundation early.

South Africa has got some quality batsman to come after them. If this duo can click together, that will let the others play with a lot more freedom. It is vital for them to look to spend some valuable time in the middle early in the innings without taking too many risks.

Middle Order (Faf du Plessis (C), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller)

Faf du Plessis played a great knock in the last match and scored 63 runs. However, he cannot do the scoring all alone and needs to get support from the other end as well. Aiden Markram has been highly inconsistent and needs to step up to the occasion. Playing at the crucial number four position, the 24-year-old needs to take more responsibility.

Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller have been doing a fair job with the bat. However, the duo has thrown starts away more often than not. In the match against Pakistan, had they dug in deep into the innings, South Africa might have had a chance to chase the target down. Unfortunately, though, that wasn’t to be the case.

All Rounders (Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris)

Andile Phehlukwayo and Chris Morris have been great assets to the South Africa side. They are both doing a fabulous job with the ball providing the side with important breakthroughs. The former compiled a well-made 46 in the last match with the bat. Morris should also step up and score more runs that will allow South Africa to compete hard. Unlike in the last match, he would also want to get amongst the wickets this time around.

Bowlers (Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir)

Kagiso Rabada hasn’t performed as well as he’d have liked in the tournament and is surely under the pump. Against Pakistan, he couldn’t make much of an impact and went for 65 runs in his 10 overs. It is crucial for the fast bowler to hit better areas and be more consistent with his performances. He will be sharing the new ball duties with Lungi Ngidi.

Although he was expensive at times, Ngidi has managed to pick up important wickets. Imran Tahir, possibly, has been the best bowler for the Proteas. Apart from being economical, he is getting some crucial scalps of the opposition. This trio has got to perform well collectively if they are to win against Sri Lanka.