South Africa vs Sri Lanka ODI Series 2019 – Let’s talk Numbers

History was made in the in the most unlikely way during the Test series with a 2-0 whitewash by Sri Lanka. With another challenge at hand for the visitors, the 5-match ODI series will commence on Sunday as the first match will be staged at Johannesburg.

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 to the apartheid 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 playing for Australia, led the Proteas’ charge.

At the Basin Reserve, Wellington, on March 2nd Sri Lanka met South Africa for the first time in the ODI format. 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 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 iconic R. Premadasa Stadium. They crushed the hosts in a 124-run victory.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka Head to Head ODI record –

• Played – 71
• Sri Lanka – 31
• South Africa – 38
• 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 by 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. In early 2017, South Africa whitewashed Sri Lanka 5-0 in the ODI series. The last time these two sides met was during the ICC Champions Trophy at England in 2017. During the group game at the Oval, South Africa thumped Sri Lanka by 96 runs. In 2018, the 5-match ODI series in Sri Lanka was won by South Africa 3-2.

In South Africa

The two teams first played on South African soil in 1994 at Bloemfontein. Sri Lanka won the first encounter by 35 runs.

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

• Played – 28
• Sri Lanka – 7
• South Africa – 20
• Tied – 1

Wanderers, Johannesburg

South Africa have played 34 ODIs at the venue, winning 25 and losing 9.

Sri Lanka’s ODI Record at the Wanderers –

• Played – 8
• Won – 2
• Lost – 6

Centurion

Centurion have hosted 39 ODI’s featuring South Africa. They have won 25, lost 13, while one game has ended with no result.

Sri Lanka’s ODI Record at the Centurion –

• Played – 5
• Won – 1
• Lost – 4

Durban

The venue witnessed the only tied ODI between the sides. During the World Cup in 2003, the match was tied as a result of the D/L method. South Africa have played 37 ODIs at the venue.

South Africa’s ODI Record at Durban –

• Played – 37
• Won – 21
• Lost – 11
• Tied – 1
• No result – 4

Sri Lanka’s ODI Record at Durban –

• Played – 3
• Won – 0
• Lost – 2
• Tied – 1

Port Elizabeth

South Africa have played 34 ODIs at Port Elizabeth. They won 20, lost 13, while one game has ended with no result.

Sri Lanka’s ODI Record at Port Elizabeth –

• Played – 5
• Won – 1
• Lost – 4

Cape Town

South Africa’s ODI Record at Cape Town –

• Played – 35
• Won – 29
• Lost – 6

Sri Lanka’s ODI Record at Cape Town –

• Played – 3
• Won – 1
• Lost – 2

Team Records

• Highest team total – 384/6 (South Africa at Centurion, 2017)
• Highest team total for Sri Lanka – 327 all out (at Cape Town, 2017)
• Lowest team total – 43 all out (Sri Lanka at Paarl, 2012)
• Lowest team total for South Africa – 121 all out (at RPS, 2018)

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 – Faf du Plessis (185 at Cape Town, 2017)
• Highest individual score for Sri Lanka – Kumar Sangakkara (169 at RPS, 2013)
• 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 – Akila Dananjaya (6 for 29 at RPS, 2018)
• Best bowling for South Africa – Lance Klusener (6 for 49 at Lahore, 1997)