Both teams did their final training sessions yesterday at the Delhi stadium and after their training sessions were scheduled to announce the final teams for today’s match.
Sri Lanka team had good news with the recoveries of their injured players. Skipper Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Janith Perera and Maheesh Theekshana who were nursing injuries trained yesterday according to team manager Mahinda Halangoda.
We have a strong batting lineup with Kusal Janith Perera and Pathum Nissanka the openers Kusal Mendis who stroked 158 in the last warm-up game as number three batter followed by Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva the useful all rounder. Skipper Dasun Shanaka as usual number 7 but it depends on his availability and after the bowlers. Dunith Wellalage the 20-year-old leggie is the front runner for the spinners berth with Dushan Hementha also in contention for a place in the final eleven. The seamers Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana are in the team while Lahiru Kumara is also fighting for a place.
The loss of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera always a big issue but our second string bowling attack also did a reasonable job in recent matches. We lost both warm-up games against Bangladesh and Afghanistan both played at Guwahati but today it is a different wicket and a team South Africa.
We don’t care about warm up game results and it was just to give a chance to players get match practise before the world Cup said a team official. The South Africa led by top order batsman Temba Bavuma also ready to take on the Sri Lanka challenge. The skipper experienced opener Quinton de Kock, all rounders David Miller and Aiden Markram are the the key batters while the paceman Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and spinners Tabriz Shamzi, Keshav Maharaj are experienced players who could give a run to Sri Lanka. Reza Hendricks, Rassie Van Der Dussen also talented batters of the side. The South African bowling side is more is experienced than Sri Lanka but this is a world cup and we are ready to take on them.
Mahela Jayawardena the team consultant also accompanied the team and they will come with new plans today. We never underestimate any team and all world cup matches are important to go forward a said team official. We have learnt from our mistakes and want to come back strongly today in this opening game said a team official.
Meanwhile another match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan is scheduled to be played at Dharamsala today and this match will commence as a day game at 10.30 a.m.
Two teams
South Africa from Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamzi , Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
Sri Lanka from Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka.
