Sri Lanka V South Africa: Bold Predictions for 1st One Day International

South Africa and Sri Lanka will square off in a one-day series which not many people will watch. The action starts on Saturday, but with so much attention focused on the Ashes, the series is playing second fiddle to everything else that's going on.

Still, there's bound to be some excitement as it's coach Russell Domingo's first tour as South Africa head coach. There will be some tricky selection decisions, and Domingo will have to apply his strategic brain. 

South Africa to Play Two Spinners

With seam bowlers Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe struggling with fitness, South Africa's bowling is a bit thin. Both Robin Peterson and Aaron Phangiso featured in the warm-up match, and both ended with good returns.

Peterson picked up three wickets, while Phangiso ended with two. The conditions in the subcontinent are far more suitable for spinners, and while playing two tweakers might have been way too progressive for the Proteas in the past, Domingo knows how to make the best of his assets.

Rain Will Interfere in Colombo

Rain is forecast for much of tomorrow according to Weather.com, and it's likely to have a say in the cricket. That might mean that South Africa's old foe, Duckworth Lewis, comes to the party.

This adds a whole new element to the match and means the toss will be an important factor. There's also the risk that it could be rained off completely, not an ideal start to a tournament where the Proteas need all the momentum they can get right from the get go.

David Miller Will Score Big Runs

David Miller is one of South Africa's brightest young stars. He had a bit of a flop in the warm-up game, scoring just two, but the stage is set for him to perform. 

He was in good form during the Champions Trophy and ended the tournament with a record partnership with Rory Kleinveldt. He might not be the most elegant player, but in conditions where the ball will probably be quite soft and where spinners will try to stifle the scoring, Miller has the perfect platform for big runs.

South Africa to Break Their 10-Year Duck in Sri Lanka

It's been 10 years since South Africa last won an ODI in Sri Lanka. The hosts have an experienced side, and their batsmen could take the game completely away from the opposition. But there is no reason why South Africa cannot beat them.

If the Proteas can find a way to survive against Lasith Malinga in his opening spells, they can take advantage of the spinners. Similarly, if South Africa manage to keep Sri Lanka's top order quiet, they'll be in with a good chance.

This really is a bold prediction, but the energy that comes with a new coach might just be enough to spur them on to win their first one-day international in Sri Lanka for the first time in a decade.

Lasith Malinga Will Not Take the Most Wickets

Lasith Malinga can be devastating, but he is also a confidence bowler. If the Proteas manage to dig his yorkers out and survive at the start, he might end up without wickets.

A far bigger threat for the Proteas is the spin of Rangana Herath. The South Africans do have some of the best players of spin, but on spinning tracks in the subcontinent, things might get tricky.

So much depends on the conditions on the day and how well South Africa apply themselves mentally.