1st Quarter-Final: South Africa v Sri Lanka

ICC Cricket World Cup : Sydney, Mar 18, 2015

starts in 11.5 hours !

I am finally looking forward to some cricket again. I was having withdrawal symptoms. This has all the makings of a very high scoring affair. Can Sanga get his fifth consecutive ton and equal Sachin's record for most World Cup centuries or will AB smash the Proteas to victory? Sri Lanka's bowling has been very ordinary at best so far this World Cup though South Africa have also had their struggles with the ball, especially trying to figure out where to get 10 overs from some combination of a fifth bowler. I think South Africa will just about edge this one but this should be a great match.

Both Sri Lanka and South Africa have played one match each at Sydney so far this World Cup. South Africa scored 408 in a win against West Indies and Sri Lanka scored 312 in a loss in reply to Australia's 376.

Explorer Mike Horn will give South Africa some answers when he gives them their pre-game pep talk.

Whatever he told Germany in the lead-up to their Football World Cup final last year certainly worked. 

[quote author=dillinger10 link=topic=96518.msg626055#msg626055 date=1426608118]
I am finally looking forward to some cricket again. I was having withdrawal symptoms. This has all the makings of a very high scoring affair. Can Sanga get his fifth consecutive ton and equal Sachin's record for most World Cup centuries or will AB smash the Proteas to victory? Sri Lanka's bowling has been very ordinary at best so far this World Cup though South Africa have also had their struggles with the ball, especially trying to figure out where to get 10 overs from some combination of a fifth bowler. I think South Africa will just about edge this one but this should be a great match.
[/quote]

I hope you're right about about an SA win, but I'm terrified of the possibility that the result will depend on who wins the toss.

After four consecutive centuries, surely Sanga is due to fail.

[quote author=dillinger10 link=topic=96518.msg626055#msg626055 date=1426608118]
I am finally looking forward to some cricket again. I was having withdrawal symptoms. This has all the makings of a very high scoring affair. Can Sanga get his fifth consecutive ton and equal Sachin's record for most World Cup centuries or will AB smash the Proteas to victory? Sri Lanka's bowling has been very ordinary at best so far this World Cup though South Africa have also had their struggles with the ball, especially trying to figure out where to get 10 overs from some combination of a fifth bowler. I think South Africa will just about edge this one but this should be a great match.
[/quote]

sangy will do mre dan dat.  he will eat the saffies and get his fif'  and den he will break the record in the semis in a loosing effort against the Kiwi

Sydney is SPIN friendly : guess SL will come with both ...

[quote author=Gina145 link=topic=96518.msg626080#msg626080 date=1426611297]
I hope you're right about about an SA win, but I'm terrified of the possibility that the result will depend on who wins the toss.

After four consecutive centuries, surely Sanga is due to fail.
[/quote]
Hopefully AB has been practicing his tossing. As ODI captain, AB has won the toss 35 times and lost it 31 times. When winning the toss, AB has elected to bat 21 times. In those 35 matches, South Africa have won 21, lost 12 and two matches ended in a no result. Even in the 31 matches AB has lost the toss South Africa still have a winning record (17 wins, 12 losses, 1 tie and 1 no result).

I'm nervously waiting for the match to start. Thank goodness it's a 5:30 am start in South Africa and not 3:00 am like our last couple of matches were.

Who will be here to drive the Wagon ? 

Almost a midnight start here in Toronto.

I need some waking pills or some such assistance !