World Cup 2023, Match 4 | Sri Lanka's Predicted XI vs South Africa

Sri Lanka will be playing their first game of World Cup 2023 against South Africa (Source: AP Photos)

Games have started to come thick and fast as Temba Bavuma's South Africa lock horns with Dasun Shanaka's Sri Lanka on the first doubleheader of the ongoing sixteenth edition of the World Cup. Match No. Four of the marquee tournament is all set to take place on a Super Saturday, October 07th, 2023 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi at 14:00 PM IST. 

South Africa's first warm-up fixture with Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain before they lost their second practice game against New Zealand by seven runs (DLS Method). On the other hand, the Lankan Lions, who were blown away by India in the Asia Cup final recently, suffered defeats in both of their warm-up matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

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Keeping the playing conditions and the players' recent form in mind, here is the predicted XI of Sri Lanka for Match 4 of the World Cup 2023 against South Africa.

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Openers: Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera

The left-hand right-hand combination of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera will start the proceedings for the Lions right at the top of the order. Nissanka has cemented his place as an opener for some time now for Sri Lanka in ODIs courtesy of his consistent performances  as he is their leading run-getter since 2021 while southpaw Perera is expected to get the nod ahead of Test regular and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne. Perera made his ODI debut ten years ago and his experience of playing 109 matches will come into play.

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera 2023 ODI Form:

Middle-Order: Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka

The middle-order will consist of wicketkeeper batter Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka. Mendis has also become a crucial and vital member of the ODI setup for Shanaka's side as they expect him to do the bulk of the scoring. The No. three batter has struck two centuries and 25 half-centuries in the format. Samarawickrama has locked the no. four spot off late and he will continue doing so in the WC. The right-hander has five fifties to his name in 20 innings. Left-hander Asalanka averages over 40 with one hundred and nine half-centuries in ODI cricket.

Recent ODI Stats of the Sri Lanka Middle-Order:

All-rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka and Dunith Wellalage

Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka and Dunith Wellalage will be the all-rounders for the Lions. de Silva has become a regular in all the three formats for his side now and will have a huge role to play in this WC. Batting at no. six, he still average 27 with ten fifties in the format. He is also a few wickets shy of reaching 50 scalps in ODIs. Captain Shanaka has not been amongst the runs lately but he will look to lead his side from the front by contributing with the bat right from the first game.  Not to forget he has two centuries and three half-centuries to his name in the 50-overs format. Youngster Wellalage was mighty impressive in the recently-concluded Asia Cup as he looks to carry on his from in the showpiece event.

Here is a look at the record of these players in ODIs in 2023:

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Bowlers: Matheesha Pathirana, Dushan Hemantha and Dilshan Madushanka

Matheesha Pathirana, Dushan Hemantha and Dilshan Madushanka will be the bowlers for Sri Lanka. Matheesha Pathirana, whose action is similar to legendary pacer Lasith Malinga, is a young promising talent . Theekshana, their premier mystery spinner is ruled out of this clash so Dushan Hemantha might replace him. In the absence of spin wizard Wanindu Hasaranga, Theekshana will shoulder the main responsibility of their spin attack. Madushanka has ten wickets in six ODIs at an average of 22.10

This is how the trio has done with the ball in ODIs in 2023:

World Cup 2023, Match 4: Sri Lanka Predicted XI vs South Africa

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dilshan Madushanka.