Sri Lanka vs. South Africa: Five players to watch out for

Sri Lankan cricketers celebrate the dismissal of AB de Villiers during the second ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 23, 2013. (Getty Images)

South Africa are 2-0 down in the series against Sri Lanka as they head to Pallekele for the second leg of the series.

They suffered from a harsh blow in the last match as Hashim Amla suffered a groin injury while fielding at the fine-leg boundary in the 43rd over of the first innings. That threatens to rule out the batsmen for the third game too and that is no good news for a side that is struggling to cope in alien conditions.

Captain AB De Villiers talked about the need to give greater responsibility to the batting unit ahead of the series but clearly things have not gone according to plan in that area. The top-order failed to produce a half-century in the two matches that have been played.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will receive another boost ahead of the third­ ODI as captain Angelo Mathews returns from suspension as the squad nears full strength. Dinesh Chandimal played the role of the stand-in captain to perfection and also regaining form with the bat in the process.

Rangana Herath’s encouraging return in the last two matches might prompt the addition of another front-line spinner in the side even as Dilshan performed the required role in the last game. They have a spotless record against South Africa in the last two decades and they would be eager to keep that up.

Here is a list of five players who can make an impact in the next contest: