AB de Villiers vs Nuwan Kulasekara and other key battles from South Africa-Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I

AB de Villiers is back. Angelo Mathews has returned home. With the series levelled 1-1, is it advantage South Africa ahead of the 3rd T20I? But then the hosts have plenty of inexperience in their line-up. The venue for the decider is picturesque Cape Town. Pace and bounce is expected. Unlike Johannesburg, the conditions may please South African skipper Farhaan Behardien. All eyes will remain glued to cricket’s favourite son AB’s return to the ring meanwhile Sri Lanka who have just tasted their first success in the South African soil will hope to keep the momentum. Ahead of the final T20I, let us have a look at the key battles.

AB de Villiers vs Nuwan Kulasekara: This will be the clash of experience. Sidelined for six months due to an elbow injury, AB starts fresh, and will hog the entire spotlight. Kulasekara, meanwhile, has figures of 5-0-37-4 in the series. His T20I numbers are excellent and Sri Lanka will back him to tame de Villiers. But taming de Villiers? The probability of taming bulls in Spain or Tamil Nadu is more than the aforementioned proposition. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD, SOUTH AFRICA vs SRI LANKA, 3RD T20I

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Lungi Ngidi vs Dinesh Chandimal: Ngidi has been a find for South Africa. Tall and seriously fast, the 20-year-old is the latest addition to South Africa’s fine pace bowling artillery (despite Kyle Abbott’s departure due to Kolpak). Ngidi has figures of 6-0-31-6 in the series and claimed Chandimal’s wicket in the previous match.

Chandimal will be captaining the side in Mathews’ absence and will have to shoulder the responsibility of being the best batter of the side. To conquer the Ngidi threat will be first in his checklist.

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Imran Tahir vs Niroshan Dickwella: Finally, a Sri Lankan opener among scoring runs. That is heartening. His 19-ball 43 was put to an end by Tahir at Centurion. Tahir may be brought in early to counter Dickwella, since lack of pace may put a check on Dickwella’s brisk scoring. For the 23-year-old southpaw, he will be expected to go all guns blazing at the top.

David Miller vs Lakshan Sandakan: Paul Adams was from a different generation and this South African side may not have watched him enough. Paththamperuma Arachchige Don Lakshan Rangika Sandakan. Playing him was as difficult as pronouncing that name. The Chinaman bowling of Sandakan bamboozled the Proteas in the second T20I as he returned with figures of 4-0-23-4, restricting the hosts to 113.

Miller has the responsibility to shepherd the South African middle-order and might end up playing a lot of Sandakan. Miller’s experience will come into play in tackling the wily 25-year-old.