CENTURION: A wounded South Africa bounced back to win the first ODI of this series against Sri Lanka by eight wickets. But at this point, results are almost secondary to the goal of identifying who the best limited-overs cricketers in the country are, and who will be going to the World Cup.
What is South Africa’s best XI in ODIs? This was the central question that CSA’s selection policies set out to answer over the past year, with increasing urgency. There have been 10 debutants in the ODI side since 2018, to go with three new Test cricketers and seven players blooded in T20Is. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje is the latest on the list, picking up a solitary wicket on his first outing, albeit on a dry, slow and uncharacteristic Wanderers track. South Africa have undoubtedly unearthed some match-winners along the way, but the first ODI also gave a timely reminder of the value of some of the proven old heads.
Faf du Plessis certainly led from the front in the first ODI at the Wanderers on Sunday, his unbeaten century guiding South Africa to an eight-wicket win. But du Plessis also joined hands in a 136-run stand with Quinton de Kock, who has now played 102 ODIs. That pair also continued the good work started by Imran Tahir’s three cheap wickets earlier in the day.
Now it is Sri Lanka’s turn to bounce back. They were far from their best in all departments on Sunday, squandering a position of strength with the bat when they slipped from 195 for 4 to 231 all out, and then being unable to build on the early dismissal of Reeza Hendricks when mounting a defence of their total.
There are also a fair number of new faces in Sri Lanka’s squad, but much like South Africa, it’s the veterans who need to lead from the front. If Upul Tharanga can contribute runs at the top, if Thisara Perera can provide a little oomph to the lower-middle order, and if Lasith Malinga can strike early with the ball, Sri Lanka have more than enough young talent to fill in between, break a four-match losing streak and draw level in Centurion.
Responsibility is a cape that hangs lightly on Faf du Plessis’ shoulders. Amid a summer of debate around South Africa’s pitches, fast bowling, and plummeting batting averages, du Plessis has enjoyed a fruitful season across the board, scoring his runs at 51.00 in Tests, 37.74 in T20Is and an impressive 95.00 in ODIs. His runs are vital to South Africa’s cause.
One of the brightest young lights in Sri Lanka’s ranks, Kusal Mendis is in decent nick, having led his team home with an unbeaten 84 in the Port Elizabeth Test, had a good outing in the tour match that preceded this ODI series with 47, and top-scored with 60 in the opening ODI. While another bruising effort with the bat from Kusal Perera would be handy, it is Mendis who keeps the cogs turning in the middle-order engine room.
While Dale Steyn sat the first ODI out, South Africa might opt to give Kagiso Rabada a breather for the second. Conditions in Centurion probably won’t be too different from those in Johannesburg, but Anrich Nortje should get another chance to impress.
