Sri Lanka v South Africa, ICC Champions Trophy 2017: A look ahead
The third match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 will be between the young Sri Lankans up against a formidable South Africa.
Match: Sri Lanka v South Africa
**Group:**Group B
**Date:**Saturday, June 3
**Venue:**The Oval, London
Head2Head in ODIs:
In the most interesting of scenarios, both teams have an equal record against each other in the one-day format. Of the 60 matches played, Sri Lanka has won 29 and South Africa 29, with one tie and one no result.
South Africa won its first ever knockout game in a World Cup as Quinton de Kock helped it beat Sri Lanka in Sydney in the CWC15 Quarter-Final on March 18.
Memorable ODI encounter:
The teams faced each other in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final in Sydney. After Sri Lanka decided to bat first, South Africa sent the openers back within the first five overs. After that point, with minimal resistance from the in-form Kumar Sangakkara (45), South Africa ran through Sri Lanka.
Imran Tahir picked up four wickets and JP Duminy had three as Sri Lanka was bowled out for 133 in 37.2 overs.
South Africa chased down the target in 18 overs, with nine wickets left. Hashim Amla fell early, but there was no stopping Quinton de Kock, who smashed a 57-ball 78 not out, built around 12 fours.
Match Hero – Imran Tahir
Previous Champions Trophy encounters:
SuperSport Park, Centurion, September 22, 2009
Sri Lanka won by 55 runs (D/L method)
*PoM:*Tillakaratne Dilshan
After South Africa put Sri Lanka in to bat, Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 106 propelled it to a sizeable total of 319. South Africa’s batsmen succumbed to the pressure of the target, revised to 262 in 37.4 overs, and made only 206 for the loss of seven wickets in this rain-affected game.
Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad, October 24, 2006
South Africa won by 78 runs
*PoM:*Shaun Pollock
Shaun Pollock’s all-round performance (21* and 2-21) saw South Africa restricting Sri Lanka to 141 in 39.1 overs after posting 219 for 9. AB de Villiers (54) and Jacques Kallis were the main contributors, while Lasith Malinga picked up four wickets.
Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, October 30th, 1998
South Africa won by 92 runs (D/L Method)
PoM: Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis’s century (113*) propelled South Africa to 240 for 7 in 39 overs in the rain-hit game. Three wickets each for Steve Elworthy and Pat Symcox reduced Sri Lanka to 132 in 23.4 overs.
Key players for each side:
With legends like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene having retired, there has been immense pressure on the Sri Lankan youngsters to fill their shoes. Even as the youngsters are given more opportunities, the one player who hasn’t faded is **Angelo Mathews.**As a genuine all-rounder, Mathews will have to play a good role in all departments of the game. His seniority and experience gives him a lot to work with. He has the ability to dismantle any batting line-up, and also take Sri Lanka home from any situation with his batting.
Regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world, AB de Villiershas a lot of work to do if South Africa is to put away memories of losing during key moments at ICC events. With his ability to be both a destructive and composed batsman, de Villiers adds versatility to the South African batting line-up. As seen on many occasions in the past, if he gets going, there’s not much a bowling attack can do to stop him.
Key facts:
- Sri Lanka leads the Champions Trophy tally 2-1 against South Africa.
- Sri Lanka’s lowest ever ODI total of 43, came against South Africa in 2012.
- AB de Villiers averages 54.00 against Sri Lanka, with five fifties and two centuries.
Best at Champions Trophy
South AfricaWinners 1998
Sri LankaJoint-winners 2002
Sri Lanka play South Africa in Group B of ICC Champions Trophy 2017 on Saturday, June 3 at The Oval, London, the ticket ballot is now open and you can apply for tickets by clicking on the banner below or going towww.icc-cricket.com/tickets. 