MUTTIAH MURALIDARAN: Batting quality means there’s still plenty to be positive about

If it is to be South Africa then that is a tough match to call. On the one hand, when AB de Villiers’ side is firing they are a match for any line-up in the world.

But if they are off their game then they are beatable, as Pakistan and, earlier in the tournament India, have shown.

And they have the weight of history on their shoulders, having never won the World Cup, something that does not sit so heavily on Sri Lanka’s shoulders after the win in 1996 and, in another format, success in the ICC World Twenty20 last year.

Like Sri Lanka, South Africa are struggling for balance in their line-up and really had a problem with their fifth bowler against Pakistan in Auckland.

And with Sri Lanka’s batting confidence at the moment, that would be something the side could exploit.

The fact Sri Lanka is also due back in Sydney will be a further boost for the side. It is a ground the players enjoy and the crowd for the Australia match was terrific in their support for Mathews and his players.

I do expect a fresh pitch – unlike the one used for the match against Australia, which had been used previously – and that is something the South Africans would be happy about given their players historically struggle on slow, tired pitches especially when the pace is taken off the ball.

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