By Ranjika Perera
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Sri Lanka have their final test before the T20 World Cup starting next month when they meet South Africa in a three-match T20I series, starting today (10) in Colombo[/caption]
The triumphant Sri Lankan side will kick off the three-match Twenty 20 International (T20I) series against South Africa today (10) at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The match will commence from 7 p.m. under lights and will be played behind closed doors.
The One-Day International (ODI) series is done --Sri Lanka won it 2-1-- and we are in for what could be the most important three-match T20I series of the year for the hosts.
Confidence after six series defeats
Why so much importance? This will be Sri Lanka’s last and only chance to solve all their issues before the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup, coming up on17 October in UAE and Oman.
Unlike any other series, the Lankans will have a lot of confidence leading up to the series today.
Following defeat in six consecutive white-ball series since the pandemic --or, since March this year-- the T20I series win over India in July, albeit against a second or third-string Indian side then, and this week’s ODI series win over the Proteas have created that confidence in the Sri Lanka camp.
Key batsmen for hosts
Charith Asalanka - Cannot emphasise enough the importance of this youngster. It is almost as if we are depending a bit too much on him, but the batsman looks at ease on the big stage. The No. 5 spot is probably for him to keep for long. Asalanka will be the key in the Lankan middle order.
At the top, Avishka Fernando will be the main hope for Sri Lanka as he is to get off the team to a flying start inside the first Power-play. His confident approach to the game is vital for the Lankans, especially against South Africa who will have a lot of firepower in their batting line-up.
Sri Lankan bowling
In the bowling department, Wanindu Hasaranga will obviously be leading the Lankans’ spin attack. He will be accompanied by Praveen Jayawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dhananjaya, and Maheesh Theekshana, who is set to make his T20I debut.
Theekshana’s heroics in the ODI series decider on Tuesday (7) proved his selection worthy. However, his biggest challenge comes only now - once the world has studied his variations and worked on how to counter them.
Akila to come back and KJP’s fate
The king of making ‘comebacks’ Akila Dhanajaya, is tipped to return to the playing XI for the opening T20I game today. He is most likely to replace Praveen Jayawickrama today. This could be his final opportunity to prove himself before the T20 World Cup.
In the batting department, many pundits expected Bhanuka Rajapaksa to make a return to the shortest format. It is best suited for his batting style, but he will have to wait in the fringes as Kamindu Mendis is likely to be retained at No 3.
The much-expected return of Kusal Janith Perera aka KJP is on the horizon. However, he won’t be available for the first T20I against the Proteas and probably for the second too on Sunday (12). The news from the Sri Lankan camp is that he is unlikely to feature in the first two T20Is and will be only available for the third on Tuesday (14).
In the Protea camp, prolific wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock and David Miller as well as Lungi Ngidi are expected to join the South Africa T20 squad. The trio did not take part in the ODI leg of the tour.
TEAMS
Sri Lanka (probable XI):
Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Dhanajaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (Capt.), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Akila Dhanajaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana
South Africa:
Quinton de Kock (wk), Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Beuran Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj (Capt.), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, and Lizaad Williams