Sri Lanka players audition for first team spot in South Africa warm-up match

OverviewSri Lanka v South Africa

Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Warm-up
Friday 24 May, 10:30 local time, 10:30 BST

Sri Lanka don't have good recent memories against the Proteas in the ODI arena, having suffered a 5-0 whitewash in the format in March 2019. The team has struggled to find the right combinations for the last few years and have lost eight out of the nine bilateral series they have played since the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

Under their newly appointed captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka did put up an all-round show in their previous ODI against Scotland, but they'll be put to test against a strong South Africa side on Friday. The team management will be hoping for some good individual performances which would aid in selecting the best possible combination, before the real action begins on 30 May.

South Africa, on the other hand, have won each of their last five ODI series and will want to keep in line with the winning ways. Imran Tahir and Kagiso Rabada were the leading wicket takers in the recently concluded Indian Premier League, and the arrival of Dale Steyn further strengthens their bowling attack. In the batting department, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock are the in-form ones.

Hashim Amla, who had for long been the mainstay of the Proteas batting unit, has done very little of note in the last few seasons. The 36-year old veteran is now raring to get back to his best at the biggest stage. Amla and Chris Morris, who joined the squad as a replacement for the injured Anrich Nortje, would be closely looked at by the South African management.

Key players:

**Kusal Perera:**Perera was the protagonist of Sri Lanka's fondest memory during their tour to South Africa earlier this year, when he scored a breathtaking 153* to set up a thrilling one-wicket win in the first test at Durban. The aggressive left-handed batsmen, who possesses the skills to strike the ball equally well against spin and pace, can be a match-winner on his day. Sri-Lanka will be hoping to have their key middle order batsman to be at his fluent best against a strong South African bowling unit.

Kagiso Rabada: Arguably one of the best bowlers in modern times, Kagiso Rabada has been a match-winner for the Proteas over the last few years. The tall pacer who can bowl with pace and accuracy, both with the new ball and at the death, will be South Africa's key weapon for the upcoming two months. Rabada, who missed the last few games in the IPL due to a shoulder injury, will look to get his rhythm going before he's up against the strong English batting line-up in the tournament opener.

Conditions:

Weather is expected to be warm and pleasant for most part, but there is likely to be some cloud cover and a couple of showers. The pitch is expected to be good for batting as it has been for the last few seasons. Teams batting second have won four of the last six matches played at Sophia Gardens which makes the toss a crucial prospect.**SquadsSouth Africa:**Faf du Plessis (capt), Quinton de Kock, Imran Tahir, David Miller, JP Duminy, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Dwaine Pretprius, Rassie van der Dussen, Hashim Amla.

**Sri Lanka:**Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Suranga Lakmal, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva.