Sri Lanka and South Africa will compete in the second and final Test of their mini-series in Colombo on Friday and when they do so the series will be on the line with everything up for grabs after a surprise first game.
Sri Lanka dominated the first match from start to finish and will be hoping to go on and claim the series from here on in while South Africa are looking to respond and come away with a share of the spoils.
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Sri Lanka
The home side will be delighted with their performance in the opening match. Not only did they dominate from start to finish but they did it with the cloud of controversy hanging over them from the fall out of the series in the Caribbean. They showed good mental strength and a real determination to win and they looked so much better for it.
The key for Sri Lanka in this match is to maintain that intensity and desire to win. If they can do that then they certainly showed in the opening game that they have more than enough for their opponents here. After drawing the series in the Caribbean if they can avoid defeat in this match they will be building some nice confidence in this format of the game.
South Africa
You have to say it was a shambolic performance by South Africa in the first match and it goes without saying that they will need to show a hell of a lot more in this one if they are to come away with a share of the spoils. In fairness to their bowlers they did their job in tough conditions but South Africa’s batting was embarrassing.
Whether it is enough to win this match or not I believe South Africa need a decent performance with the bat in this match to alleviate any doubts that they are unable to compete without AB de Villiers. They need to put to bed that doubt quickly and if they can do it here it will do their fortunes going forward the world of good.
Team News
Sri Lanka have no need to change anything for this match if they don’t want to. They remain without their captain Dinesh Chandimal so Suranga Lakmal will continue to lead the side in his absence.
South Africa are expected to bring another batsman into their line up to accommodate the shambles they produced in the first game. Vernon Philander barely bowled in the first game and his place in the side could be in most danger.
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Betting
I’ll go with a performance for a bet in this match. The performance concerned is for Rangana Herath who has a wonderful record on this ground in his career. He has taken four or more wickets in seven of his last nine innings with the ball at this ground so he clearly bowls very well here.
He has also showed his hand with the bat in recent times too with 49 and 33 as well as a load of other bits and pieces efforts so I think there is every reason to believe that Herath can make it beyond the 125.5 line he has been set.
Tips
WON – Back R.Herath’s Performance – Over 125.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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