Once the conquerors of Asia, with no defeats in eight-consecutive Test series, South Africa has found themselves running fallow on the continent of late. With a poor run against India's wristspinners in their latest ODI series, Sri Lanka will look to expose the Proteas' inability to consistently hit spinners. While the Test series was an utter disappointment for South Africa, they do have the fourth innings of the final Test to build off, in addition to a tour match victory over Sri Lanka Board XI that should provide a boost going into this five-match series. With that in mind, let's take a look at a player from each position who can help you vault to the top of the Dream11.com leaderboards.
Players to Watch
Wicketkeeper - Quinton de Kock (South Africa) 9.5 credits
Neither of the two wicketkeepers for the first match are particularly inspiring, but having de Kock, who works as an opening batsman and has 13 ODI hundreds in 90 innings is one of the preeminent batsmen in the South African side. Less than a year removed from a daddy hundred against Bangladesh and is averaging 44.82 in 17 innings in Asia; however, he was beaten for a duck in the tour match. With Niroshan Dickwella a far cry from the caliber of batsman de Kock is, the choice at wicketkeeper is something of a no-brainer.
Batsman - Aiden Markram (South Africa) 8.5 credits
While your lineup should have plenty of room at the top for the biggest hitters, Markram could provide excellent value at just 8.5 credits. Run out for just a single run in the tune-up and doesn't have an ODI fifty since his debut, the Test opener has been excellent at the international level and looks so close to his break-out in limited-overs cricket; however, that success just hasn't come to date. But priced at 8.5 credits and with the international credentials of anyone in the South African side, Markram provides excellent value and is "due" for a breakout match.
Allrounder - Andile Phehlukwayo (South Africa) 8.5 credits
While his batting may not be up to snuff in comparison to the other allrounders, Phehlukwayo is one of the best pace bowlers in the series, much less of the allrounders. While his wicket-taking abilities haven't quite been white the Proteas faithful have hoped for, his pace and control has been a huge boon to South Africa's side. With more than half of his innings going without loss (eight of 15) his 32.14 average is a bit misleading as he's yet to break 42 with the bat and has just two four-fors in 25 innings with the ball, but has the potential to break out in any given match.
Bowler - Akila Dananjaya (Sri Lanka) 8.5 credits
South Africa's struggles against spin have been well-documented and Dananjaya is the most unorthodox of the Sri Lankan attack. With a fifer and seven total wickets at SSC against South Africa, Dananjaya is uniquely positioned to take advantage of South Africa's frailty against spin. The 24-year-old hasn't picked up a four-for in an ODI in 14 innings, but throughout the course of the five-match series, if South Africa's struggles against spin continue and Dananjaya looks like Sri Lanka's most dangerous bowler, even if his ODI economy pushes five.
