Sri Lanka seeks another surprise vs. South Africa in ODI series

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first in the opening one-day international against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

The Sri Lankans are on a high after they swept the tests 2-0 to become the first team from the Asian subcontinent to win a test series in South Africa.

The focus now moves to the 50-over format with the Cricket World Cup starting in late May and teams putting together their final preparations.

Fast bowler Lasith Malinga came into the Sri Lanka team as captain and will lead a new-look bowling attack, which includes spinner Lakshan Sandakan. Left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando, who was the tourists’ only bowler from the test series selected for the first ODI, was joined by two allrounders in Thisara Perera and Akila Dananjaya.

South Africa gave 25-year-old fast bowler Anrich Nortje his international debut and recalled fellow quick Lungi Ngidi after he recovered from a knee injury. The Proteas also went with two allrounders in Wiaan Mulder and Dwaine Pretorius. Experienced batsman Hashim Amla was rested for the first three ODIs and fast bowler Dale Steyn was also left out for the first game.

This five-match ODI series is South Africa’s last before it plays host England in the opening match of the World Cup on May 30. Sri Lanka has a short series against Scotland scheduled before the showpiece tournament.

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Lineups:

South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis (captain), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Dwaine Pretorious, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi.

Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Malinga (captain), Vishwa Fernando, Laskhan Sandakan.

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