Weerakkody looks the part for Sri Lankans

Fifth ODI
Sky Sports 5, 11.30am Friday

Sri Lanka have had a long and arduous tour of South Africa – the first Test started on December 26 – and they are 7-1 to win the fifth and final ODI at Centurion.

South Africa are 4-0 up in the series but the home side were given a few nervous moments during their defence of 367 in Tuesday’s fourth match.

Stand-in Sri Lanka captain Upul Tharanga led a spirited run-chase, scoring 119 off 90 deliveries, but the Proteas’ bowlers kept chipping away and the tourists ended up falling 40 runs short.

Experienced players such as Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal are absent for the Lankans but newcomer Sandun Weerakkody made a good impression in only his second ODI appearance.

Batting at number four, Weerakkody took some time to get going but he accelerated nicely before being dismissed for 58 off 51 balls. Ladbrokes go 6-1 that the 23-year-old top-scores for an inconsistent batting line-up and that looks worth a bet.

Faf du Plessis scored 185 to set up South Africa’s win in the fourth ODI but he is fourth-favourite, behind Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, to top-score for the hosts.

Recommendation
S Weerakkody top Sri Lanka runscorer
1pt 6-1 Ladbrokes, Sky Bet