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Sri Lanka eye to keep semis hopes alive with win over S Africa today

June 28, 2019 00:00:00


CHESTER-LE-STREET, June 27 (Agencies): Sri Lanka will look to draw inspiration from their win over England and try to keep their semi-final hopes alive with a win over South Africa in their World Cup 2019 clash at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street on Friday.

Given Pakistan's victory against New Zealand on Wednesday, Sri Lanka's progression is unlikely but if they can win their remaining three matches, starting with South Africa on Friday, anything is possible. After a calamitous beginning to the tournament, that they still have a chance is as remarkable as it is surprising.

By contrast South Africa, who have already been knocked out of World Cup 2019, will only have pride to play for. Last edition's semi-finalists, South Africa were knocked out of the World Cup 2019 following a 49-run loss to Pakistan.

With two wins, Sri Lanka are currently at the seventh spot with six points and need to win all of their remaining three matches to harbour hopes of a semi-final berth.

Squads: Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Dhananjaya de Silva, Nuwan Pradeep, Avishka Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Jeevan Mendis, Kusal Perera (wk), Thisara Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay.

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pertorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamshi, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi, Chris Morris, Rassie van der Dussen, Beuran Hendricks.


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