South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 2013

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Yes, South Africa won the tour match against Sri Lanka Board President XI by 73 runs. The SLBPXI lead by Dinesh Chandimal were allout for 198 chasing 272 to win after most of their batsmen failing to convert the starts they got. Seven of the Ten wickets fell to the South African spinners, including three to Robin Peterson. This win would have boosted South Africa's confidence going ahead into a series in a Country where they have won only once in last 10 ODI encounters.

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Duminy's 92 powers SA to win

JP Duminy's 92 runs, and two wickets helped the South Africans cruise to a 73-run victory in their warm-up match in Colombo, ahead of the five-match ODI series that begins on Saturday. Duminy injected urgency to the South Africans' batting effort after it had threatened stagnation early on, before building strong partnerships with AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, on a slow Colts Cricket Club surface. The South Africans could not score as many as they might have hoped in the final overs, considering they had only lost three wickets by the 45th, but their bowlers' fire and discipline might have defended a much lighter total than 271 for 6 against this opposition. The visitors attack was bereft of Morne Morkel's services for much of the innings though, after he left the field with tightness in his left quad after his third over. Morkel had left the Champions Trophy in June with a quad injury, and had been believed to have recovered fully, but his availability for the series will now need to be assessed on Thursday morning, after he is observed overnight. Earlier in the day, Duminy was strong square of the wicket, sweeping well and often, while also regularly gliding back to stroke the slow bowlers through point, as he progressed smartly against the friendly spin of Chaturanga de Silva and Jehan Mubarak. He was reluctant to use his feet, with the pitch offering some bounce, but he prospered whenever he advanced, hitting his first six over long on off Mubarak in the 45th over, before depositing de Silva over deep-square leg next over. Having batted securely since the 13th over, Duminy had begun to search for quick runs after the 42nd, but perished in sight of a fifth List-A ton when he attempted to pick the bowler off his legs by shuffling to the off side only to be bowled behind his pads by Dhammika Prasad. Prasad and Thisara Perera picked up three wickets between them in the final overs, as the South Africans struggled to time the ball in their search for a furious finish. In the opposition's innings, Chris Morris was intense in his early spell, pinning Dimuth Karunaratne to the crease with a barrage of quick, short deliveries aimed at the body, and when Karunaratne finally ventured an expansive cover drive, the extra bounce Morris generated drew a thin top-edge to the keeper. He also dismissed Kusal Perera in his first spell, after the batsman had looked typically threatening early on before playing the familiar loose shot that brings his demise. This time he missed an ambitious swipe to the leg side to be trapped in front. The home side sought stability through a string of promising partnerships in the middle overs, but the South African spinners had bowled tightly, and attempts to stay in touch with the required run rate led to regular dismissals. Dinesh Chandimal could not shake himself out of a poor run of form, holing out to deep-square leg on 21 ahead of what is likely to be his first match as ODI captain on Saturday, while Thisara Perera's innings of 19 may not be enough to see him regain his place in the national side. Angelo Perera and Jehan Mubarak improved their chances of selection, however, with scores in excess of 40. Both Morris and Robin Peterson finished with three wickets apiece, and the South Africans dismissed Mubarak in the 45th over to complete the win.

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Chandimal becomes youngest Sri Lanka ODI captain

Dinesh Chandimal will become Sri Lanka's youngest ever ODI captain, at 23, after being handed the reins for the first two matches against South Africa in Colombo. Regular captain Angelo Mathews was unavailable after earning a two-match suspension for an over-rate offence in the West Indies tri-nation series. Lahiru Thirimanne was named vice-captain. Middle-order batsman Jehan Mubarak earned a recall, four years after his last international appearance. Now 32, Mubarak did not show sustained aptitude at the top level in his previous stints with the national team, despite a fine domestic reputation. He hit 42 in the practice match against the South Africans on Wednesday and had been the top-scorer in Sri Lanka's inter-provincial List A competition in January, with an average of 60 and a strike rate of 120.96. Uncapped middle-order batsman Angelo Perera was named in the 15-man squad as well, after top-scoring for his side in the warm-up match, with 46. Allrounder Thisara Perera reclaimed his place after missing the West Indies tri-series. An injury to Nuwan Kulasekara's left ring finger, which was sustained in the Caribbean, ruled him out of the first two matches and Suranga Lakmal retained his place as Kulasekara's replacement. Tillakaratne Dilshan is also recovering from a tear to his right medial calf muscle, but was named in the squad and is expected to be fit for the first match. Upul Tharanga, who hit a career-best 174 not out in the West Indies after being picked as Dilshan's replacement, was also retained, at the expense of Kusal Perera, who opened for Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy. Ajantha Mendis kept his place as well, despite having played just one match in the tri-series, but will compete with left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and offspinner Sachithra Senanayake for a place in the XI. Sri Lanka also have part-time spin options in Mubarak and Angelo Perera, but legspinning allrounder Jeevan Mendis was omitted, after an unconvincing run. Both matches will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium, but the squad may be changed ahead of the third ODI in Pallekele on July 26. The teams play five ODIs and three Twenty20s.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-south-africa-2013/content/story/652365.html

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Sri Lanka Squad For 1st & 2nd ODI:

Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Perera, Jehan Mubarak, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Shaminda Eranga, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal

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Morkel, Tsotsobe in doubt for the first ODI on Saturday

Russell Domingo's first assignment as South Africa's head coach has just become tougher. Already without pace spearhead Dale Steyn, Domingo could find also himself minus both Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe, who picked up injuries in Sri Lanka. Morkel bowled only three overs in the warm-up match against the Sri Lankan Board President's XI on Wednesday before leaving the field with a quad niggle. He was assessed today and was still experiencing tightness. He will have to be relooked at on Friday in order to determine his availability for Saturday's first ODI. The concern over Morkel is that the injury has occurred in the same quad which was affected during the Champions Trophy last month. Morkel was ruled out of the tournament after South Africa's first match against India, in which he did not bowl his full quota of overs, and sent home for a three-week rehabilitation program. On the team's departure last Sunday, Mohammed Moosajee, the team doctor and manager, said Morkel had made a full recovery. Tsotsobe's worry appears to be more serious. He did not play in the warm-up and CSA officials in South Africa confirmed he suffered a recurrence of the ankle impingement syndrome that plagued him last season. They said he was receiving treatment in Sri Lanka. They would not confirm whether a report in a local newspaper, which revealed Tsotsobe had traveled unfit, was true. Instead, CSA only said, "all players have to be signed off by the medical committee." The Citizen reported that Tsotsobe was given the green light even though he failed a fitness test conducted pre-tour. Signs of Tsotsobe struggling were evident during the Champions Trophy. Although he played in all South Africa's games, he only bowled five overs in the semi-final against England. Tsotsobe's franchise coach at the Lions, Geoffrey Toyana, confirmed to ESPNCricinfo that the left-armer was "in good shape" before the tournament. He was training at the Wanderers, bowling well and at full fitness. He has not had communication with Tsotsobe since then. Should Tsotsobe only become available to play later in the tour, as The Citizen suggested, Domingo's options for the opening exchanges will be limited. He will have to choose from a largely inexperienced pack with Rory Kleinveldt, Chris Morris and Ryan McLaren as the only seam options. With the first match on Saturday, there will be no time to fly in a replacement. If one is needed as the tour goes on, South Africa's choices are also not as vast as they would like them to be. Wayne Parnell, who is part of the T20 squad, is recovering from a groin niggle and will have to be re-evaluated before he leaves for Sri Lanka. It is unlikely he will be available for the ODIs. Marchant de Lange and Kyle Abbott are involved with the South African A side that will play first-class matches against Australia A. Ostensibly, either of them could be pulled out and sent to Sri Lanka but de Lange is also in the final stages of complete recovery from stress fractures and Abbott's inexperience may only add to the existing worries. Conditions may help ease the concern with South Africa likely to consider two specialist spinners in the starting XI. That would mean both Robin Peterson and Aaron Phangiso will play. JP Duminy also provides a slower bowling option.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-south-africa-2013/content/current/story/652735.html

[Mahaa Raavana]

:hatsoff: to :king: KING SANGA :king:...What an innings...What a player...:bow: Not happy with seeing Tharanga in the team...the guy only scores big against club level bowling attacks like India and Zim... Selectors should give a long run for Kusal at the top..he is the great future prospect...

[bulbul]

:hatsoff: to :king: KING SANGA :king:...What an innings...What a player...:bow: Not happy with seeing Tharanga in the team...the guy only scores big against club level bowling attacks like India and Zim... Selectors should give a long run for Kusal at the top..he is the great future prospect...

Same Kusal who refuses to cross single digit ? :winky:

[JaFanatic]

Same Kusal who refuses to cross single digit ? :winky:

but the way he scores those 2 runs or 3 runs at the top of the order!!!!wow, its a treat to watch :agree:

[Mahaa Raavana]

but the way he scores those 2 runs or 3 runs at the top of the order!!!!wow' date=' its a treat to watch :agree:[/quote'] :yousuck: and stop judging him based on a couple of failures... He has shown flashes of brilliance and when he comes back into the team when tharanga gets dropped , he will make you lot eat your words :wizard:...

[FischerTal]

:yousuck: and stop judging him based on a couple of failures... He has shown flashes of brilliance and when he comes back into the team when tharanga gets dropped , he will make you lot eat your words :wizard:...

i agree with MR.. bring back jayasuriya version 0.2 :hitler:

[FischerTal]

:hatsoff: to :king: KING SANGA :king:...What an innings...What a player...:bow: Not happy with seeing Tharanga in the team...the guy only scores big against club level bowling attacks like India and Zim... Selectors should give a long run for Kusal at the top..he is the great future prospect...

Nanga scores on flat track again... whats new? :phehehe:

[Mahaa Raavana]

Nanga scores on flat track again... whats new? :phehehe:

Yeah ,and on that same flat track the whole team of saffers scored twenty less than what :hatsoff:SANGA:hatsoff: scored,weird eh! che?

[div]

Yeah ' date='and on that same flat track the whole team of saffers scored twenty less than what :hatsoff:SANGA:hatsoff: scored,weird eh! che?[/quote'] Dont u remember back to back innings defeats in India

[bulbul]

Yeah ' date='and on that same flat track the whole team of saffers scored twenty less than what :hatsoff:SANGA:hatsoff: scored,weird eh! che?[/quote'] Sh*t happens :dontknow:

[StriKe]

:hatsoff: to :king: KING SANGA :king:...What an innings...What a player...:bow: Not happy with seeing Tharanga in the team...the guy only scores big against club level bowling attacks like India and Zim... Selectors should give a long run for Kusal at the top..he is the great future prospect...

We missed you after Tri series final :((

[SLICKR392]

We missed you after Tri series final :((

:agree:

[FischerTal]

Yeah ' date='and on that same flat track the whole team of saffers scored twenty less than what :hatsoff:SANGA:hatsoff: scored,weird eh! che?[/quote'] congrats one group of chokers beat another group of chokers. you have the upper hand on vandokkum whenever he comes back here to post :two_thumbs_up:

[Mahaa Raavana]

:agree:

:poink:Why are you agreeing with him....you saw me congratulating the teams after the final...I never hide no matter how SL performs..

[bulbul]

:poink:Why are you agreeing with him....you saw me congratulating the teams after the final...I never hide no matter how SL performs..

:agree:

[SLICKR392]

:poink:Why are you agreeing with him....you saw me congratulating the teams after the final...I never hide no matter how SL performs..

Were you as active as you are now ? :--D