It was a momentous revival and a much needed one for the Lions; the T20 series was wrapped up in two thrillers, proving that the young lions are a force to reckon with.

We are down to the final segment of the tour, a tough ODI series against the strong Proteas lineup that will be hoping to avenge their T20 loss. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers between these two sides before the 5 match ODI series kicks off at Port Elizabeth.

Since 1992

The two sides met for the first time during the 1992 World Cup in Australia/New Zealand. South Africa was returning to world cricket after a long ban due and their hunger was evident from the first game itself, where they vanquished hosts Australia in Sydney by 9 wickets. Skipper Kepler Wessels who returned to his native land after for playing for Australia, led the Proteas’ charge.

At the Basin Reserve, Wellington, on March 2nd Sri Lanka met South Africa for the 1st time in ODIs. South Africa made slow progress, allowing the Lankan bowlers to capitalize as they forced a collapse, capturing the last 9 wickets for 81 runs. Sanath Jayasuriya’s athleticism produced two blinders while Peter Kirsten top scored with 47 in an innings which was ceased at 195; Don Anurasiri took 3 for 41. The chase was halted by Allan Donald at 35/3 but Arjuna Ranatunga and Roshan Mahanama paired up to revive the innings with a 67 run stand. Mahanama’s artillery lifted the score by 68 while Ranatunga’s effective stroke-play produced an unbeaten 64 and despite losing four further wickets, Sri Lanka managed to clinch the victory by 3 wickets, with a ball to spare in the last over bowled by the daunting ‘White Lightning’ Alan Donald. He claimed a match bag of 3 for 42. It was only Sri Lanka’s 4th win after appearing in World Cups since 1975, moreover a shocking win against the eventual semi-finalists.

South Africa’s first win against Sri Lanka came in 1993 at the RPS. They crushed the hosts in a 124 run victory.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka Head to Head ODI record –

  • Played – 60
  • Sri Lanka – 29
  • South Africa – 29
  • Tied – 1
  • No Result – 1

Recap of the last decade

Sri Lanka’s visit to South Africa in 2011/12 saw the ODI series ending in a 3-2 win to the hosts. In 2013, South Africa toured Sri Lanka and the ODI series was won 4-1 by Sri Lanka. In the following year, the Proteas travelled to the paradise island once again. This time, they won the ODI series 2-1.

The last time these two sides met was during the 2015 World Cup. It was the first time South Africa won a knockout match in their World Cup journey since 1992.

(Image courtesy – espncricinfo)
(Image courtesy – espncricinfo)

In South Africa

Sri Lanka first played an ODI on South African soil in 1994. The game played at Bloemfontein saw the Lions recording a 35 run win.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka Head to Head ODI record in South Africa –

  • Played – 23
  • South Africa – 15
  • Sri Lanka – 7
  • Tied – 1

St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Against the Proteas, Sri Lanka have played 3 ODIs at the venue, winning 1 and losing 2.

Kingsmead, Durban

Another painful World Cup exit (Image courtesy – Getty Images)
Another painful World Cup exit (Image courtesy – Getty Images)

Sri Lanka has played only once at the venue and it was a memorable encounter for the bizarre stalemate during the 2003 world cup.

The Proteas were once rejected by the rain rule, and later in a queer tie in 1999, before denting their hopes once again, this time with a fatal miscalculation. When they hosted Sri Lanka in a crucial clash at Durban, the visitors piled up 268/9 courtesy of Marvan Atapattu’s 124. Chasing the target, it was Boucher and Klusener at the crease in the 44th over. With rain pouring down, the pair received a message saying that according to the D/L, they needed to be on 229 after 45, provided no further wickets would fall. Boucher pummeled a six off Murali in the penultimate delivery, taking them to 229 before safely defending the last delivery. Umpires called off the game, to the elation of Boucher. However his feisty celebration soon turned to dejection, when it was revealed that the instructions given to the players on-field were inaccurate. In fact, according to the D/L, 230 was needed for a win as 229 would have only tied the game. South Africa’s ultimate World Cup dreams were lost, and so was Pollock’s captaincy.

Wanderers, Johannesburg

Sri Lanka have played 4 games against South Africa, winning 2 and losing 2.

Newlands, Cape Town

Sri Lanka has played a solitary game at the picturesque venue. South Africa gained victory in that game.

Supersport Park, Centurion

Sri Lanka have played 2, winning one and losing one.

Batting Records

  • Most runs – Kumar Sangakkara (1789 runs in 43 innings) (Avg. 45.87)
  • Most runs for South Africa – Jacques Kallis (1434 runs in 36 innings) (Avg. 46.25)
  • Most runs in South Africa – Jacques Kallis (719 runs in 17 innings) (Avg. 51.35)
  • Most runs for Sri Lanka (in SA) – Marvan Atapattu (591 runs in 15 innings) (Avg. 45.46)
  • Highest individual score – Kumar Sangakkara (169 at RPS, 2013)
  • Highest individual score for South Africa – Quinton de Kock (128 at Hambantota, 2013)
  • Highest individual score in South Africa – AB de Villiers (125* at Johannesburg, 2012), Graeme Smith (125 at Johannesburg, 2012)
  • Highest individual score for Sri Lanka (in SA) – Marvan Atapattu (124 at Durban, 2003)

Bowling Records

  • Most wickets – Shaun Pollock (51 wickets in 35 innings) (Avg. 23.90)
  • Most wickets for Sri Lanka – Muttiah Muralitharan (49 wickets in 32 innings) (Avg. 23.34)
  • Most wickets in South Africa – Shaun Pollock (26 wickets in 14 innings) (Avg. 17.76)
  • Most wickets for Sri Lanka (in SA) – Chaminda Vaas (20 wickets in 17 innings) (Avg. 31.10)
  • Best bowling – Lance Klusener (6 for 49 at Lahore, 1997)
  • Best bowling for Sri Lanka – Nuwan Zoysa (5 for 26 at RPS, 2004)

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