Following an impressive Test series, Sri Lanka will be looking forward to continuing their dominance over visitors South Africa in the shorter format. The 5-match ODI series will commence on the 29th July 2018 at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. Let’s take a closer look at the ODI number between these two sides.
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 for 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 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 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 – 66
- Sri Lanka – 29
- South Africa – 35
- 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. 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.
| Year | Hosts | Winner | Result |
| 2011/12 | South Africa | South Africa | 3-2 |
| 2013 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | 4-1 |
| 2014 | Sri Lanka | South Africa | 2-1 |
| 2016/17 | South Africa | South Africa | 5-0 |
In the Lion’s Den
Sri Lanka hosted South Africa in an ODI for the first time in 1993.
Sri Lanka vs South Africa Head to Head ODI record in Sri Lanka –
- Played – 19
- Sri Lanka – 14
- South Africa – 4
- No result – 1
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium
Sri Lanka first played an ODI at Dambulla in 2001.
Sri Lanka’s overall ODI record at Dambulla –
- Played – 41
- Won – 25
- Lost – 14
South Africa have played 2 ODIs against Sri Lanka at Dambulla, both in 2004.
Sri Lanka vs South Africa ODI record at Dambulla –
- Played – 2
- Sri Lanka – 2
- South Africa – 0
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Nestled in the misty hills, Pallekele has hosted 18 games involving Sri Lanka since 2011. Sri Lanka has won 9 and lost 9 at the venue.
Sri Lanka’s overall ODI record at Pallekele –
- Played – 18
- Won – 9
- Lost – 9
Sri Lanka vs South Africa Head to Head ODI record at Pallekele –
- Played – 3
- Sri Lanka – 2
- South Africa – 1
R. Premadasa Stadium
The ‘Mecca’ of the cricket-crazy nation, the iconic venue lies in the heart of Colombo amidst the hustle and bustle of the big city. On match day, the RPS comes to life with the boisterous reverberation of ‘papare bands’ and the ardent fans, not only eclipsing the sounds of the city, but also reflecting the unique identity of Sri Lankan cricket. Standing at fifth in the all-time list of most ODIs played on a single ground, the RPS has so far hosted 124 ODI games since its inauguration in 1986. In 1992 it became the first ever floodlit venue in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s overall record at the RPS –
- Played – 106
- Won – 64
- Lost – 35
- Nor result – 7
Sri Lanka vs South Africa ODI record at the RPS –
- Played – 9
- Sri Lanka – 7
- South Africa – 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 – 140 all out (at RPS, 2013)
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 Sri Lanka – Kumar Sangakkara (878 runs in 15 innings) (Avg. 67.53)
- Most runs for South Africa (in SL) – Hashim Amla (353 runs in 5 innings) (Avg. 70.60)
- 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 South Africa (in SL) – Quinton de Kock (128 at Hambantota, 2014)
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 Sri Lanka – TM Dilshan (17 wickets in 13 innings) (Avg. 27.82)
- Most wickets for Soutb Africa (in SL) – Ryan McLaren (13 wicket sin 7 innings) (Avg. 22.84)
- Best bowling – Lance Klusener (6 for 49 at Lahore, 1997)
- Best bowling for Sri Lanka – Nuwan Zoysa (5 for 26 at RPS, 2004)
