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[caption id="attachment_46576" align="aligncenter" width="580"] South Africa will face Sri Lanka in a Group B encounter of ICC Champions Trophy on Saturday. Image Source: twitter[/caption] Internet Desk: World No.1 South Africa to face Sri Lanka in their opening game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 on Saturday at London. The Proteas would be focused to have a winning start in their journey as they have one of the strongest and balanced squad of the Champions Trophy. HEAD-TO-HEAD 65 matches; Sri Lanka 29; South Africa 34; Tie 1; No result 1 THE FORM The head-to-head numbers show that South Africa and Sri Lanka have fought neck-and-neck over the years but recent history has been quite different. South Africa has clearly had the better of its opponent, prevailing the last seven times the teams have clashed. Sri Lanka’s last victory over South Africa in a One-Day International came in 2014 at home, which too was in a series that South Africa won. In fact, the last time the two sides met, South Africa romped to a 5-0 series whitewash earlier this year. Sri Lanka has struggled of late, and not just against South Africa. Since the start of 2016, Sri Lanka has played 27 ODIs, winning seven and losing 15. Apart from the series sweep by South Africa, Sri Lanka played out a tied series at home against Bangladesh, and its most disappointing performance came when it lost to Scotland in a practice match leading up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Sri Lanka also lost both its warm-up games, to Australia and New Zealand. It doesn’t help they are likely to be without Angelo Mathews, the captain, who is nursing a calf injury. South Africa has no such problems with form, as its world ranking of No. 1 suggests, despite the 2-1 series defeat against England just prior to the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. The question is whether South Africa can translate that form into a global tournament title. THE CONDITIONS Alex Hales summed up everything one needs to know about the conditions at The Oval after a match-winning 95 against Bangladesh on Thursday, saying: “On a ground like this where there’s traditionally a very flat wicket and quick outfield, the games we've played in the past we’ve been looking at 340-350 as a par score.” Bangladesh posted 305 for 6 in that game, but the general consensus among both teams was that it was 30 runs short, and England chased it down with ease. The pitch is largely flat with even bounce, making it a batsman’s paradise, even though England sent the Tigers in to bat after winning the toss. Prior to the tournament opener, there were three scores in excess of 300 in the three warm-up matches. Teams, particularly the ones from the subcontinent, should, however, be wary of the rapidly-changing overhead conditions that could have a huge say; a good pace attack could exploit the cloud cover as India did when they bowled New Zealand and Bangladesh out for 189 and 84 respectively in the warm-up clashes. THE MATCH-UP Lasith Malinga v AB de Villiers The one constant for Sri Lanka through all those losses was that it didn’t have Lasith Malinga’s services. The pacer last played an ODI in November 2015 and his presence makes the Sri Lankan attack look different even though he didn’t have a great Indian Premier League 2017 by his lofty standards. In batsmen friendly conditions, AB de Villiers is likely to showcase his 360-degree strokeplay, but if there’s one person in the Sri Lankan side who can prevent that, it’s Slinga Malinga. THE WILDCARDS Sri Lanka Asela Gunaratne: The right-hand batsman is gradually turning into the middle-order star that Sri Lanka badly need. With a fearless yet composed approach, Gunaratne’s curve has been on the rise in recent times in the shorter formats. A couple of breathtaking knocks in the T20s in Australia made the world take note of him and even found him a team in the IPL. Incidentally, it all started in Sri Lanka’s final ODI of the South Africa tour when he scored an unbeaten 114 after walking in at 70 for 4. South Africa David Miller: The left-hand batsman is showing signs of realising his full potential. Often used for his hard-hitting abilities, Miller has scored two centuries since October 2016, including one against Sri Lanka. He has been in fine form more recently too, smashing a quick 71 not out in the second ODI against England, although he couldn’t quite finish off the chase. A free-hitting Miller could be crucial to South Africa’s quest for a trophy in a potentially high-scoring tournament. WATCH OUT FOR… Kagiso Rabada: He turned 22 just a week ago, but is already the No. 1-ranked ODI bowler in the ICC rankings. Express pace, swing, yorkers, short balls and slower balls – Rabada has got them all. He showed a glimpse of his abilities at Lord’s last week against England, when he blew away the top order in the final ODI with a four-wicket haul. Teams Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Chamara Kapugedera, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Kulasekara, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna. South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (capt), Jean-Paul Duminy, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Farhaan Behardien, Morne Morkel.