Sri Lanka Bandwagon Looks to Flatten South Africa

Colombo: Sri Lanka will look to extend their red-hot winning streak onto home soil when they take on a new-look South Africa in the first of the three one-day internationals on Sunday.

The hosts go into the series on the back of their first ever Test series victory in England which followed a 3-2 victory in the one-dayers, only weeks after they won the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

The player that stood out for the islanders was the redoubtable Kumar Sangakkara, who scored three fifties and a hundred at an average of 85.50 in the Tests. The 36-year-old left-hander also scored a ton in the ODIs, showing that his hunger for runs had not waned even in the twilight of his glorious career.

Sri Lanka's interim head coach Marvan Atapattu said his team would take confidence from their win over England into the contest against South Africa, but warned against complacency.

With a new Test captain in Hashim Amla and some fresh faces in the Proteas' touring squad - the likes of batsman Stiaan van Zyl and off spinner Dane Piedt - the South Africans are in a rebuilding phase.

The newcomers will look for inspiration to allrounder Jacques Kallis who has retired from Tests but is looking to sign off from international cricket after next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The last time South Africa toured Sri Lanka in 2013, they were handed a 4-1 drubbing in a limited-overs series, although they did win the T20s 2-1. The first match is being held in Colombo's Premadasa Stadium followed by matches in Pallekele on June 9 and Hambantota on June 12. A two-Test series is to begin on July 16.

Teams from

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (Capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Ashan Priyanjan, Upul Tharanga, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal.

South Africa: AB de Villiers (Capt. & wk), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Ryan Mclaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn.

Pitch and conditions
There is a chance of rain in the morning, which may help freshen up the surface and also lower the temperature during the day, if the cloud hangs around.

Stats and trivia

South Africa last played an ODI seven month before in December last year - against India, at home.
South Africa have never won an ODI series in Sri Lanka.

Match facts
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Start time 0945 local (0415 GMT)

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