The first T20 International cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka will be played at Centurion on Jan 20, 2017. The game is scheduled to begin at 16:00 GMT, 9:30 pm India time. The South African team will have just four members of the original World T20 team.
Live updates:
South Africa won by 19 runs
Sri Lanka 107 for 6,
South Africa 126/10
Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Good News! The match will start at 8.30 pm. Ten overs a side, three-over Powerplays, two overs per bowler
Rain has delayed the toss. Stay tuned.
There have been no important T20 matches, and it will be a refreshing change to watch two of the best T20 teams fights it out at Centurion in a few hours from now.
The domestic T20 competition and league matches have thrown up a plethora of players each giving his best to gain a slot in the national side.
Two stars, Theunis de Bruyn and Jon-Jon Smuts, find mention in most reviews as players to look out in the coming seasons.
#CSAnews Proteas go 1-0 up T20 Series as @LungiNgidi stars on debut #ProteaFire https://t.co/vAueISCuD2 pic.twitter.com/kLwe4afYBz
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 21, 2017
Sri Lanka can capitalize on inexperience of opposite side
The Lankans will sorely miss the services of their toe crunching bowler, Lasith Malinga who has still not regained fitness after an attack of dengue.
The pace battery will now carry out by Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep and will be supported by Nuwan Kulasekara and Isuru Udana.The Sri Lankan batting was not up to the mark in the Test series, and their record in the shorter format is even worse.
However, the South African side has some newcomers who are short in experience, and this will be the only chance which the Sri Lankan’s need. South Africa has six new players in its completely refurbished T20 side.
Sri Lankans under enormous pressure to redeem pride
Angelo Mathews will be under immense pressure to deliver after he faced a lot of flak for the manner in which he used his bowlers.
It will provide a chance to redeem his lost prestige and deliver in the shortest format of cricket.
Catch South Africa face off Sri Lanka in the T20 sessions, exclusively on TEN 3, TEN 1 HD & https://t.co/L83g4XbZTo at 9:30pm. #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/SodfD2Y7VQ
— Ten Sports (@ten_sports) January 20, 2017
Telecast and streaming details
- CSN and SuperSports in South Africa.
- Ten Sports or MTV Sports in Sri Lanka.
- Geo Super in Pakistan.
- Ten Sports in India.
- Gazi TV in Bangladesh.
- Sky Sports TV channel in the United Kingdom
- Star Sports and Sommet Sports in New Zealand.
The online streaming can be watched at the official website of Ten Sports.
Pitch conditions and weather
Centurion ground has a fast pitch though it has been favorable for batting in the limited over cricket format. Weather is a pleasant 30 degree Celsius, and there is no possibility of rain