Sri Lanka and South Africa will go head to head in New York as action in the T20 World Cup 2024's Group of Death gets underway on Monday, June 3. It's the battle between two nations in the top 10 for the first time in the tournament and the newly-built Nassau County Cricket Stadium is set for a potential blockbuster. Sri Lanka, the 2014 champions, and South Africa, perennial pre-tournament favourites, will be hoping to make a statement on Monday after having flown under the radar in the lead-up to the tournament.
South Africa are heading into the contest on the back of a 0-3 thrashing to the West Indies in May. The Proteas haven't been in the best of forms in T20I cricket, but the return of their star players after their IPL commitments makes them a formidable unit. On the other hand, Sri Lanka got a wake-up call in warm-up games. They were stunned by the Netherlands before they defeated Ireland in Florida in their last practice match.
It will also be a battle between one of the strongest batting units in the tournament against a bowling attack that is looking threatening. South Africa will be bolstered by the return of the likes of captain Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have one of their best bowling attacks in recent years with captain Wanindu Hasaranga leading the line-up, which also has the likes of Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madhushanka and Dushmantha Chameera.
South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, will be keen on ending their title drought, especially after the heartbreak of the ODI World Cup in 2023 where they lost to eventual champions Australia in the semi-final. However, they need to overcome their starting trouble as they also have Bangladesh and giant-slayers Netherlands in Group D -- the Proteas have lost three of their last four opening matches in the men's T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka and South Africa have played 17 matches between them in T20Is. South Africa have won 11 of them in a dominant head-to-head record.
In fact, Sri Lanka and South Africa are meeting for the first time since their clash in the T20 World Cup in 2021 in Sharjah.
Sri Lanka also have a poor head-to-head record against South Africa in T20 World Cups with their only win in four meetings coming in the 2014 edition.
There are no injury woes on either side, but focus will be on two premier fast bowlers. Anrich Norje has not been at his best in the recent past after having recovered from injury concerns. He was not at his best in the IPL and South Africa will want their premier pacer to return to peak form.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be hoping their star pacer Matheesha Pathirana is completely fit for their opening match in New York. Pathirana bowled in the warm-up games and also shone against Ireland.
PREDICTED XIs: SL vs SA
South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (captain), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga (captain), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka.
If the warm-up match between India and Bangladesh is anything to go by, Sri Lanka and South Africa should prepare themselves for the unexpected at the Nassau County Cricket Ground. The pitch on Saturday aided the fast bowlers with uneven bounce while the spinners did not get a lot of purchase. Batting was not easy, but the likes of Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya showed the importance of getting in and playing a long innings.
The weather is expected to be clear for the big-ticket match on Monday.
South Africa have the batting firepower to post a threatening total. However, the conditions in New York might not be suited to their style of batting. Expect Sri Lanka to ride on their bowling unit and clinch a win in a close contest.
