Confident SA look to extend lead against SL

Riding high on a clinical win in the opening One-Day International in Johannesburg, South Africa will be keen on extending their lead when they clash against Sri Lanka in the second encounter this afternoon.

Visibly hurting after a shock 2-0 loss in the Test series, the hosts put their best foot forward in the first game.

The bowlers led by Imran Tahir and Lungi Ngidi’s three-wicket burst bowled Sri Lanka out to 231.

South Africa will want to replicate the performance today on a ground where they have been quite successful.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, after consistent performances through the Test series looked a bit ragged in Johannesburg.

While Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga failed to fire, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva were all guilty of frittering away good starts.

With not a lot of experience in the middle order, Dickwella and Tharanga’s role at the start becomes undoubtedly important.

They have been around the circuit for a while and will need to lay a strong foundation for the likes of Mendis, Perera and de Silva to capitalise on.

Thisara Perera will also need to come up with a better effort with both bat and ball than in the first ODI. The bowling will largely revolve around Malinga, who even though not as penetrative as he was in his prime is still a handful.

He will hope the likes of Vishwa Fernando and spinners Akila Dananjaya & Lakshan Sandakan back him up.While Dananjaya back after correcting his action looked in decent touch, Sandakan was also guilty of dropping a fairly regulation chance when du Plessis was on 32 and it remains to be seen whether Sri Lanka opt for the ambidextrous Kamindu Mendis in the coming games.