Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 1st ODI: Match Predictions - Who will win the match South Africa or Sri Lanka?

Morally Sri Lanka have an upper-hand but one-day cricket is a different ball game. The Proteas were tamed in the Test series but they will know it is not about playing out anymore and things can change in shorter bursts also. The Lankans have figured out one thing for sure, South Africans are out comfort when the ball turns.

Faf du Plessis’ team has the class and the talent in the batting but will they show enough temperament, that remains to be seen. ODI cricket is played on wickets that are flatter and the ball doesn’t do much but even if it grips, just slows down after pitching Sri Lanka will feel it does the trick.

Change in format calls for change in mindset and the Proteas need to go in with typical ODI approach and plan their game around the spinners in case they want to avoid any sort of risk.

Pitch

The first ODI will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. It is a good batting wicket and either team won’t mind batting first – runs on the board is always an advantage in limited-overs cricket. The slower bowlers might just have an advantage in the second half with wear and tear on the wicket, not a lot but can make some difference.

Team Combination

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka could have a few problems in the batting department as they will miss Dinesh Chandimal and Danushka Gunathilaka both of whom are serving suspensions. But they will feel comfortable with the names that are available in the ranks Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, another Kusal in Mendis are good players at home.

The two allrounders skipper Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera will play dual roles, they are also the most experienced players in the line-up and will have to shoulder the load at times. A lot of factors suggest both teams will play two spinners for Sri Lanka their first choice is Akila Dananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan would partner him.

Probable XI: Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews (C), Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Lakshan Sandakan, Kasun Rajitha

South Africa

For South Africa to break the shackles the two main men Faf and Hashim Amla need to lead the way. They bat at the top and if one of them stays there and anchors the innings the younger guys in Aiden Markram, Willem Mulder and as they play Heinrich Klaasen and Reeza Hendricks can all get them the runs.

They will want to use this series to give the new names a chance but at the same time remain cautious enough as a win is the higher priority. Similar to Sri Lanka the visitors should also play both Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi to have variety in their attack. The pace bowling attack is led by Kagiso Rabada who is too good a bowler to depend on tracks and should manage to make his mark.

Predicted XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (C), Aiden Markram, JP Duminy, David Miller, Willem Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi

Probable top performers

Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) | Aiden Markram (South Africa)

The prediction is for South Africa to win the match either batting first or chasing.