Opportunity for youngsters to deliver
Fourth ODI today at Pallekele
In building a match-winning total or when chasing tricky targets, the national cricket team has heavily depended on the three senior batsmen. When they fail, the team too fails as it was showcased during the third ODI that Sri Lanka lost to South Africa on Friday to end their impeccable home record against the Proteas.
The Sri Lankans hadnt lost an ODI at home to the Proteas in two decades and in that period they had won 11 games in a row. That winning streak ended on Friday, but the Sri Lankans still have a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
The fourth ODI between the teams will be played today at the Pallekele International Stadium and it will be another opportunity for some of the younger members of the squad to contribute.
Not that any knee jerk reactions are required. Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne have all come up with match-winning knocks over the years, but whats been lacking is consistency.
Theres no such worry on iron man Thisara Perera though after he set the world on fire with a whirlwind 65 off 49 balls that kept the spectators interested for a while after a middle-order collapse on Friday. Perera is nicely developing as an all-rounder and his presence helps the team to balance the side.
The selectors apparently felt that he wasnt giving hundred percent during the Champions Trophy and that was the reason for his surprise omission for the tri-nation series in the Caribbean, but after being recalled for the current series, Perera has bowled with more fire and has been more selective in his shot-making.
During his knock on Friday, a Robin Petersen over produced 35 runs as Perera smashed him for five sixes and a four. Its the second costliest over in ODI cricket with the costliest being 36 runs when Herschelle Gibbs smashed six sixes against the Netherlands during the 2007 World Cup.
Lahiru Thirimanne, who was left out of the third ODI after bruising his ribs during the second match, has recovered and is available for selection.
South Africa will feel comfortable that they have got a win under their belt and the series is alive. Their case will be further boosted if star batsman Hashim Amla returns to the side. Amla, who missed the first game with a stiff neck, hurt his groin while fielding in the second ODI and didnt take any part in the match after that. Amla was seen training at the nets on the day of the third ODI and is expected to make a return for todays game.
TEAMS
Sri Lanka (Probable XI): Upul Tharanga,Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (Wicketkeeper), Dinesh Chandimal, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews (Captain), Thisara Perera, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis.
South Africa (Probable XI): Quinton de Cock (Wicketkeeper), Hashim Amla, J.P. Duminy, A.B. de Villiers (Captain), Francois du Plessis, David Miller, Robin Peterson, R yan McLaren, Aaron Phangiso, Morne Morkel and Chris Morris.
Fourth ODI today at Pallekele
In building a match-winning total or when chasing tricky targets, the national cricket team has heavily depended on the three senior batsmen. When they fail, the team too fails as it was showcased during the third ODI that Sri Lanka lost to South Africa on Friday to end their impeccable home record against the Proteas.
The Sri Lankans hadnt lost an ODI at home to the Proteas in two decades and in that period they had won 11 games in a row. That winning streak ended on Friday, but the Sri Lankans still have a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
The fourth ODI between the teams will be played today at the Pallekele International Stadium and it will be another opportunity for some of the younger members of the squad to contribute.
Not that any knee jerk reactions are required. Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne have all come up with match-winning knocks over the years, but whats been lacking is consistency.
Theres no such worry on iron man Thisara Perera though after he set the world on fire with a whirlwind 65 off 49 balls that kept the spectators interested for a while after a middle-order collapse on Friday. Perera is nicely developing as an all-rounder and his presence helps the team to balance the side.
The selectors apparently felt that he wasnt giving hundred percent during the Champions Trophy and that was the reason for his surprise omission for the tri-nation series in the Caribbean, but after being recalled for the current series, Perera has bowled with more fire and has been more selective in his shot-making.
During his knock on Friday, a Robin Petersen over produced 35 runs as Perera smashed him for five sixes and a four. Its the second costliest over in ODI cricket with the costliest being 36 runs when Herschelle Gibbs smashed six sixes against the Netherlands during the 2007 World Cup.
Lahiru Thirimanne, who was left out of the third ODI after bruising his ribs during the second match, has recovered and is available for selection.
South Africa will feel comfortable that they have got a win under their belt and the series is alive. Their case will be further boosted if star batsman Hashim Amla returns to the side. Amla, who missed the first game with a stiff neck, hurt his groin while fielding in the second ODI and didnt take any part in the match after that. Amla was seen training at the nets on the day of the third ODI and is expected to make a return for todays game.
TEAMS
Sri Lanka (Probable XI): Upul Tharanga,Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (Wicketkeeper), Dinesh Chandimal, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews (Captain), Thisara Perera, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis.
South Africa (Probable XI): Quinton de Cock (Wicketkeeper), Hashim Amla, J.P. Duminy, A.B. de Villiers (Captain), Francois du Plessis, David Miller, Robin Peterson, R yan McLaren, Aaron Phangiso, Morne Morkel and Chris Morris.