South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I preview, likely XIs: South Africa look for another sweep

Despite having a host of their seniors and regular rested, South Africa were easy winners in the second T20I at Centurion against Sri Lanka on Friday. They secured a 16-run victory, to claim an unassailable 2-0 lead at the SuperSport Park.

The hosts had a new-look batting line-up, but the fringe players took their chance to impress – Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen scored half-centuries, and along with JP Duminy’s 17-ball 33*, South Africa posted 180/3.

Sri Lanka were never a match for that, despite Isuru Udana’s best efforts. Udana scored a 48-ball 84*, but with the rest of the line-up managing paltry scores, the visitors fell short by quite some way.

Afterwards, Lasith Malinga lambasted his top-order batsman, and not for the first time on tour. However, they just can’t seem to be able to string in consistent performances. Even in the first T20I, when Sri Lanka pushed South Africa to the Super Over, it was all down to the bowlers.

Sri Lanka will need to find some way to get their batsmen firing – and not just for the final T20I, but the looming World Cup 2019 as well. It’s panic stations otherwise.

Head to head

Including the two T20Is already concluded in this series, South Africa have beaten Sri Lanka six times in 12 matches in T20Is. They have also bettered their home record against Sri Lanka, winning two and losing two out of five matches. Sri Lanka will need to conjure some of that old form to avoid a clean-sweep.

Venue details

South Africa have played 19 T20Is at the Wanderers. They have lost seven times, winning the other 12. One of those losses came against Sri Lanka, in 2017.

At least Sri Lanka have that to count on.

Key Players

Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa): Van der Dussen was in fine form in the second T20I, and was named Player of the Match for his half-century. He was in decent nick in the first T20I as well – he scored a 30-ball 34 – and if that pattern is to hold, he could get a big one in the final T20I.

Niroshan Dickwella (Sri Lanka): The dashing opener needs to click if Sri Lanka are to get out of their batting funk. When he gets going, he’s one of the most dangerous batsmen in the team, and the visitors will be desperate for him to fire.

Likely XIs

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, JP Duminy (c), Chris Morris, Dwaine Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile (wk), Lutho Sipamla, Dale Steyn, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Perera, Thisara Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Malinga (c), Jeffrey Vandersay.

Prediction

South Africa to complete another sweep.