With rain playing spoilsport in the opening One Day International (ODI) between South Africa and Sri Lanka, resulting in the game being abandoned, the 3-match series has a couple of deciders to follow. The 2nd ODI will be played at Diamond Oval, Kimberley, on the 13th of April, 2024, at 5:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
South Africa – Laura Wolvaardt (C), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Delmi Tucker
Sri Lanka – Chamari Athapaththu (C), Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera, Achini Kulasuriya, Hansima Karunaratne, Imesha Dulani, Kawya Kavindi, Inoshi Fernando, Sugandika Kumari, Prasadini Weerakkody
Players to watch out:
Tazmin Brits
The 33-year-old batter, from 25 ODI appearances, has accumulated 697 runs and recorded a highest score of 118. Tazmin struggled to get going in the Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) earlier this series; however, in the ODI opener, she notched up a solid 116, and it will be hoped that she capitalizes on this return to form.
Ayabonga Khaka
The 31-year-old pacer, from 97 ODI innings, has struck 122 wickets, including the best of 5/26, at an economy rate of 4.12. Ayabonga, in her only T20I, returned figures of 0/27 (3.1) and 0/13 (3) in the ODI opener. The team will count on her to continue on with this momentum while also returning among the wickets.
Chamari Athapaththu
The 34-year-old all-rounder in ODIs, from 99 outings, has racked up 3267 runs at an average of 34.38 and bagged 28 wickets from 49 bowling innings. Chamari followed up her scores of 1 and 6 with a 73 in the T20I decider and remained unbeaten on 13* in the ODI opener. She will be backed to extend this run of form.
Sugandika Kumari
The 32-year-old left-arm spinner, from 30 ODIs, has claimed 25 wickets, with the best of 4/39, maintaining an economy rate of 4.98, and has been handy with the bat, chipping in 116 runs from 25 innings. Sugandika has produced figures of 3/24 (T20I) and 2/67 (1st ODI) this tour and will be relied upon for the goods.
Pitch:
The Diamond Oval wicket is a batting-friendly surface with an average score in the 210s. However, the wicket also has enough in it for bowlers, especially pacers, who can expect a good bounce and assistance off the track.
Weather:
Despite cloudy overhead, the chances of rain are very slim, meaning we should have a complete game. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 22°C with light winds and a humidity level of 44%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Anushka Sanjeewani, Laura Wolvaardt, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Chamari Athapaththu, Marizanne Kapp, Kavisha Dilhari, Nadine de Klerk, Achini Kulasuriya, Ayabonga Khaka
Match details:
Date – April 13, 2024
Time – 5:30 PM IST
Venue – Diamond Oval, Kimberley
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.