Sri Lanka and South Africa will be appearing the first quarter-final of ICC WC2015 on 18 March at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney in Australia. Winner of this 1st knockout game will be facing either New Zealand or West Indies in the semi-final match on 24 March, 2015.

Preview

Head to Head (World Cups)

Sri Lanka 1:2 South Africa (1 Match tied)

Previous cricket world cup runner-up Sri Lankan side will be desperate to win world cup this year. Their legendary batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have already announced that they’ll quit ODIs after world cup. Hence whole nation and team will be looking to see off these two guys with a big win. Sri Lanka appeared in 2007 world cup final as well in which Australia defeated them to clinch crown.

1996 Cricket World Cup winners have played good cricket throughout the tournament’s pool stage especially in the batting department. Dilshan, Thirimanne, Sangakkara, Jayawardene have scored centuries in this world cup and are in good touch. Kumar Sangakkara is the highest run scored in competition so far and just about to cross 500 runs mark. He has scored 4 successive tons which is world record in One-Day Internationals.

Sri Lanka side is much effective with their batting but they are so much concern about their bowling. Prime bowler Lasith Malinga hasn’t bowled really well in this world cup as per his standards and caliber. Suranga Lakmal is not much experienced in such kind of big occasion games whereas Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera are playing as all-rounders. They are not regular bowlers. This is the worst part of Sri Lankan squad as they are not having good bowlers who can trouble opposition.

The good thing for SL is that Rangana Hearth has been recovering well and we may see him playing upcoming matches. This is going to be a great challenge for Sri Lankan bowlers as they’ll have to bowl against top class and inform Proteas batting. AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Faf Du Plessis, Duminy and Miller are in such fantastic form.

South Africa always had great side in previous world cups and they were favorites in the tournament all the time. But what actually hurt them in previous occasions as they were not enough mentally prepared for big matches. Whenever there is a big occasion, they always fail to deliver. Still South African team is away from a world cup final. Yes, you are getting right! South Africa haven’t played single cricket world cup final.

This year once again Proteas are favorites to clinch the title and they have played like that as well in the group stage. But the fact is they failed to deliver against top nations like India and Pakistan. Not even they lost against them but the way they were threatened it was really questionable for them that are they capable enough to win world cup?

Proteas failed to chase the target on both the occasions against Pakistan and India. Their strong batting line-up was destroyed under the pressure of chase and there recent past record also indicates that they lack on maximum occasions when they are asked to chase the total. While batting first, they have good track record and in this 11th edition of cricket world cup South African batsmen scored 400+ runs in two consecutive games.

Biggest problem with South Africa is their bowling. South African team is really missing their fifth bowler in the tournament. Its’ been really great headache for AB de Villiers and team management that who will complete 10 overs of 5th bowling option.

Read: Sri Lanka vs South Africa Live Streaming

That’s the area where opponent teams can take advantage. One more fact that if one of their major bowler gets bad day, then Proteas bowling will be exploit completely. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel haven’t been in so good form for which they are known.

Prediction

We have got a detailed analysis of South Africa vs Sri Lanka quarter-final match and have seen what are the strengths and weakness of both sides. It is found that both teams have similar kind of problems and issues in bowling. We have to pick of side for this match and we have predicted as well.

Read more: All Quarter-finals preview

Sports Mirchi has predicted South Africa over Sri Lanka for Wednesday’s Quarter-final and Proteas have got 60 percent chances over SL.

What do you say about this match? Whom you will support South Africa or Sri Lanka?