SA v SL 2nd T20I Preview: South Africa look to seal the deal at Johannesburg

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South Africa's Lungi Ngidi celebrates the wicket
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Lungi Ngidi celebrates the wicket. (Photo by Getty Images)

Sri Lanka had been subject to a serious humiliation just a week ago in the 3rd Test of the series they lost 16 wickets in a day and faced an innings and 118 runs defeat. To make an impression immediately after that is being a little harsh on them, but to make use of their relatively better transformation in limited-overs cricket is expected out of them.

Prelude

Angelo Mathews has the pressure to lead his side in a manner that his counterpart, Farhan Behardein has a tough time during his outing as a fairly new captaincy. Sri Lanka have a few things to build from here, and they could utilise their faint hope in the T20 format against an inexperienced South African lineup.

In the last match, David Miller’s experience came into play as he guided the team to claim a lead in the series in the 10 over-a-side battle. Despite Niroshan Dickwella laying a good foundation, the target of 127 runs in 10 overs looked like a lot for the Sri Lankans after he departed with help from Dhananjaya de Silva in his 16-ball stay at the crease. Imran Tahir sending him back to the pavilion too made it safe for us to say that the help wasn’t enough.

The lack of a death bowler is most felt for the Lankans. And, all their bowlers except for Asela Gunaratne had an economy rate that ranged from some between 12.50 to 18.00 while the South Africans didn’t exceed 12.00. Nuwan Kulasekara, Mathews and Nuwan Pradeep who are expected to take the responsibility took a hammering in the 1st T20. The bowling troubles will only increase as Wanderers is a usual run fest.

Behardein v Mathews

While every match also invites a comparison between the captains, it was a good day for Behardein and he will have an upper hand over Mathews in the next game, for his 31* off 18 against a forgettable 6 off 8 from Mathews. The victory for South Africa and a better-looking captaincy will also put Sri Lanka into a fix. Even for the South African fans, it was a delight as their wounds from the Kolpak migrants was provided with a valve with the entry of exciting, young bowlers into the Proteas team.

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Talking about standout performers for both teams, Lungisani Ngidi was awarded a Man of The Match on debut for his 2/12 in 2 overs, which are figures pretty worth of a MOM award considering it was a 10 over a side match. To display experience the way David Miller did with his 40 off 18 must have been a boost for the youngsters in the team. And, Behardein leading from the front.

New batsman Theunis de Bruyn was pretty impressive among the new lot. He may stand a chance to make it into the vacant spot in limited-overs cricket after Rilee Rossouw’s departure from International cricket. He must do it in the next match before AB de Villiers makes a possible return in the final match. Sri Lanka will take away one positive in Gunaratne’s performance as we saw him give away no boundary in his 2 overs as well as his 6-ball 10 with the bat. He could be helpful if Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will take away one positive in Gunaratne’s performance as we saw him give away no boundary in his 2 overs as well as his 6-ball 10 with the bat. He could be helpful if Sri Lanka use him wisely.

South Africa

They would prefer to go with the same team and continue to provide opportunities to the rookies considering it to be a fair outing for them, as we saw Ngidi have a dream debut along with substantial hand from their seniors which will be handy for them like it was the case in Miller’s display at Centurion in the 1st T20.

Sri Lanka

They will be wary of the bowlers they take into consideration. So we could expect a probable debut for chinaman Lakshan Sandakan, more so because he could be useful for keeping down the run-leaking tendency of the Lankan bowlers. Another change in the spin contingent could be Sachith Pathirana. Given Imran Tahir’s success if alterations in the pace department are to be made, Isuru Udana could make his way in as well.

Toss: South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews(c), Dinesh Chandimal(w), Asela Gunaratne, Thikshila de Silva, Seekkuge Prasanna, Nuwan Kulasekara, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan

South Africa (Playing XI): Heino Kuhn, JJ Smuts, Theunis de Bruyn, David Miller, Farhaan Behardien(c), Mangaliso Mosehle(w), Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir, Lungisani Ngidi

Quotes from the toss:

Behardien: “We want to look to post an imposing total here and put them under pressure.”

Two changes for Sri Lanka, Nuwan Pradeep & Suranga Lakmal miss out. Lakshan Sandakan and Isuru Udana come in.

StatAttack:

1. Angelo Mathews is seven runs short of 1,000 T20 international runs. He will become the fourth Sri Lanka batsman after Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara to reach the milestone.

2. Imran Tahir needs five more wickets to reach 50 T20 international wickets.

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