South Africa vs Sri Lanka Prediction World Cup 07 Oct 2023

The 2023 Cricket World Cup kicks off in Delhi, India, with an exciting clash between South Africa and Sri Lanka. Currently, these teams occupy the fourth and seventh positions, respectively, in the International Cricket Council's ODI team rankings.

Head-to-Head Record

In their recent five ODI encounters, South Africa has secured three wins to Sri Lanka's two. Since their first ODI clash in 1992, South Africa has triumphed 45 times, while Sri Lanka has emerged victorious on 33 occasions. These two sides haven't met in this format since 2021.

South Africa's Strengths

South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, who missed the warm-up matches, is a crucial asset. He leads the Proteas' ODI run charts in 2023, accumulating an impressive 637 runs in 10 innings, boasting an average of 79.62. These statistics underscore his value to the team.
All-rounder Marco Jansen has excelled with the ball, claiming 16 wickets in 11 ODI matches this year. Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has been consistent, averaging almost two wickets per ODI in 2023, with 13 wickets in seven matches.

Sri Lanka's Campaign

Sri Lanka reached the 2023 Cricket World Cup through the qualifying tournament, while South Africa secured a direct berth. South Africa's recent ODI series victory over Australia and Sri Lanka's run to the 2023 Asia Cup final have boosted both teams' confidence.

Sri Lanka welcomes the return of spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who missed the Asia Cup final due to injury. Theekshana has been the third-highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket in 2023, claiming 31 wickets in 15 matches, with an average of more than two per game.

However, the absence of fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera and leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is a significant blow for Sri Lanka. Hasaranga, a standout all-rounder in domestic and T20I cricket, will miss the ODI tournament due to injury.

Betting Insights

South Africa and Sri Lanka both have their eyes on their first Cricket World Cup triumph. South Africa's recent series victory against Australia and Sri Lanka's somewhat unconvincing performance in the warm-up matches suggest that the Proteas are in a stronger position.

The odds favor South Africa at 1.44 to win this match, while Sri Lanka is offered at 2.84, potentially providing better value but carrying a higher risk compared to betting on South Africa. The contest promises to be an exciting start to their respective campaigns in the 2023 Cricket World Cup.