3rd ODI: South Africa v Sri Lanka at Bloemfontein Jan 17, 2012

[Hallatia]

Opportunity for the Proteas to seal the series or the Lankans to rise up and continue to contest it.

SAfrica will be without Hashim Amla for the rest of the series and although he is a loss, I think his absence will present a good opportunity to bring someone else into the side (as a potential replacement for Smith). the SAfrican squad for the remainder of the series will be named tomorrow.

Sri Lanka will be without Ferando and Mendis for the rest of the series, as far as I know, they are yet to name replacements to the squad.


One final note, I am loving the venues for these matches, some of the country's other grounds, I think it's great getting the international game around to those different parts. We are also seeing sell out crowds which is always great (even if this is just limited overs)

 

[Hallatia]

The SAfrican squad for the remainder of the series has been announced. Rory Kleinveldt is out of the rest of the series through injury as I mentioned ahead of the last game, Amla will sit out the rest of the series for family reasons (his wife is giving birth tot their first child). And Kallis is being rested from the rest of the series for rotational policy reasons.

In their places, Colin Ingram, Alviro Petersen and Vernon Philander come into the squad. I believe it's Colin in for Rory, Alviro for Hash and Vernon for Jacques. So, I think it might be interesting to see what we go with in terms of batting order. Just the number 3 slot in particular. JP did bat at four last night and AB seems to be pushing himself down the order.

I think the batting order does get significantly weakened without both Hash and Jacques early in the order. Still a lot better than Sri Lanka though.

 

[TheParraboy]

No Jacques. SL to win this one

 

[Hallatia]

The squad itself is very bowler heavy. Just those 3 changes from the initial squad and this is the squad (and Albie having come in for Elgar which happened before the first match) in its entirety

Squad is:
AB de Villiers (captain and keeper), Johan Botha, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

 

[Hallatia]

now hearing that Colin Ingram is keen to bat at 3 and he is likely to fill the slot. I think he is the best option from that squad at any rate. He made his ODI debut at this ground as well and has been a solid contributor to the side every game he has played.

For some reason, I often confuse him with David Miller who hasn't really done anything for South Africa in the similar number of matches that

 

[Hallatia]

there is talk that Steyn may be rested from this ODI too and replaced by Philander.

I don't know how likely this is to happen, but I love the talk of experimentation, it's ballsy among other things. I also love de Villiers' reign as captain. He's been wonderful. Loving the way the team is running right now. I think he needs to be given test captaincy too

 

[AlwaysGreen]

The most important game of cricket in history and it only has 5 replies? For shame people, for shame.

 

[African Monkey]

The most important game of cricket in history and it only has 5 replies? For shame people, for shame.

It's an international cricket forum, not the australian gameday forum.

 

[Hallatia]

it's just a shame that we don't have a broader representation of the world's population in these parts. Although, perhaps if we did, some might chase them off.

 

[Hallatia]

Sri Lanka won the toss and will bat first, probably a good thing for us, missing 2 of our best top order batsmen

 

[Hallatia]

Sri Lanka are unchanged.

Just the 2 changes for SAfrica, Petersen in for Hash and Ingram in for Kallis.

 

[TheParraboy]

Dbl post

 

[TheParraboy]

The most important game of cricket in history and it only has 5 replies? For shame people, for shame.

Kallis isnt playing mate

 

[Tom Shines]

Er... how on earth was that Duminy run out given?

 

[Hallatia]

that JP run out was mildly infuriating - would have been more upsetting if one of the commies wasn't particularly unhappy about it. But, I loved this match, even though most of it didn't go our way, I love our new world of experimentation. All round, I love it, even when it doesn't come off, that doesn't deter us.

Faf was great last night. He has been excellent in the field all series and he is contributing with the bat now too. Very quick between the wickets. I love the way he's just been contributing in those ways

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Did you cry over the performance of the great South African Duckworth Lewis?

 

[Hallatia]

South Africans still hate Duckworth Lewis. They can never make it up to us.

 

[hineyrulz]

1992 WC Semi FTW!!

 

[AlwaysGreen]

South Africans still hate Duckworth Lewis. They can never make it up to us.

Don't blame Ducky L for Shaun Pollock's inability to count. And you wanna marry a ranga.

 

[Horrie Is God]

02/03 World Cup v Sri Lanka..

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65272.html