Sri Lanka, South Africa Eyes Top in Group

Hambantota: Already assured of their places in the Super Eight stage of the ICC World Twenty20, both Sri Lanka and South Africa would be eyeing a win to top their pool when they play against each other in the marquee Group C clash on Saturday.

Both hosts Sri Lanka and South Africa had easy outings in their openers against Zimbabwe, who became the first team to crash out of the event with two consecutive losses.

While Sri Lanka mauled Zimbabwe by 82 runs, South Africa hammered Brendan Taylor's men by 10 wickets.

Therefore, there will be very little to choose between the two sides ahead of the cracking contest at the Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium here, which will determine the group winners going into the business end of the tournament.

The Lankans will be banking heavily on home advantage tomorrow to give them the edge over perennial under-achievers South Africa, who were ruthless against the Zimbabweans.

Most of the Lankan batsmen looked in good shape and got starts against Zimbabwe.

But come Saturday, the scenario will be different as in South Africa they face a potent bowling attack which has the capability of dismantling any batting line-up.

In such a case, the onus would be on the experienced trio of captain Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan to deliver the goods with the bat.

In Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis and Thisara Perera, the Lankans have enough fire power in their lower middle-order.

But for the hosts, the trump card would be mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis, who returned to form in style with world record figures of six for eight against Zimbabwe.

South Africa, on the other hand, produced a clinical performance against Zimbabwe yesterday, and one can expect the same intensity from AB de Villiers' men against the Lankans on Saturday.

Opening their campaign in the tournament on Thursday, South Africa first restricted Zimbabwe to 93 for eight and then piled up the runs without breaking a sweat with 10 wickets in hand.

Veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis stole the show with the ball for South Africa picking up four wickets for 15 runs, while Morne Morkel (2/16) came up with a lethal opening spell to dismantle the Zimbabweans.

Teams from

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shaminda Eranga, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Jeevan Mendis, Dilshan Munaweera, Akila Dananjaya, Thisara Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne.

South Africa: AB de Villiers (captain & wk), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Johan Botha, JP Duminy, Francois du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Richard Levi, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Pitch and conditions
Hot, humid day awaits with temperatures around 28 degrees Celsius and a bit of rain about for the afternoon and evening.

Stats and trivia

• South Africa have the best win-loss record of all teams in T20s. They have played 48 matches, won 31 and lost 16.
• Ajantha Mendis' six wickets against Zimbabwe on Tuesday. Mendis' 46 wickets in T20 international have come at an average of 9.84.

Match facts
Saturday September 22, 2012 (day/night)
Start time 15:30 local (10:00 GMT)