Sri Lanka vs. South Africa: Experienced Trio Still the Key for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka take on South Africa at the World Cup on Wednesday with a vast amount of experience behind them.

Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan have a combined age of 112. Between them they have played 1,163 ODIs and have a cumulative total of over 36,000 ODI runs.

Sri Lanka have an impressive history in knockout World Cup matches having reached the final in the previous two tournaments. The three veteran batsmen were in both sides.  

This batting triumvirate has been the basis of Sri Lankan cricket for a decade. The side are undoubtedly reliant on their runs and their leadership. Over reliance on individuals can be a hindrance, but not in this case.

Despite their age, these players are far from fading stars. Sangakkara has already broken records by scoring four consecutive centuries at this World Cup. Dilshan is the fourth-highest run-scorer with 395 runs from six innings. Jayawardene has yet to contribute heavily, but he is a big-game player and averages 81 in six previous World Cup knockout games.

The phrase "form is temporary, class is permanent" is often repeated in cricket, but Sangakkara has paid no attention to such restrictions. The evergreen left-hander has had both attributes engraved in his play for several years.

His elegance allows him to score at a surprisingly brisk strike rate while maintaining complete composure at the crease. South Africa will know his wicket will be crucial to limiting runs.

However, the weight of class at the top of the Sri Lankan batting order means that a single wicket is rarely enough to stifle run scoring. Sri Lanka have managed four consecutive totals of over 300. If Sangakkara does not get you, it is likely another will.

Dilshan is also hitting exceptional form in his closing years of cricket. The 38-year-old has scored four ODI centuries in 2015, already equalling his best in a calendar year.  

"

496 - Kumar Sangakkara is the leading #CWC15 run-scorer. Here is the top 10. Race. @OfficialSLC pic.twitter.com/CTgJ7Xm6P9

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) March 16, 2015"

Batting has definitely been the strongest aspect of the side so far at the tournament. And it has needed to be. The bowling attack has been wasteful, conceding too many runs against the better sides.

The talismanic Lasith Malinga remains dangerous with his low trajectory and mix of pace, but the second-string bowlers have leaked runs. The medium pace of Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera has been seized upon by opposition, who have generally scored freely.

Phil Walter/Getty Images

In the group stages New Zealand and Australia—the two tournament favourites—managed hefty scores batting first and ultimately left their batsmen too much to do.

Australia’s daunting total of 376 will not have left Sri Lanka’s mind as it was accumulated at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where they will take on South Africa on Wednesday.

If Sri Lanka win the toss and bat first their in-form and experienced batting line-up could provide enough runs to protect their ailing bowling unit.

Sangakkara has reiterated that this tournament will be his last involvement in ODI cricket, per BBC Sport. But with his friends by his side, you would not bet against him continuing his amazing run of form against South Africa.

The three have been playing together for 15 years, but their importance to Sri Lankan cricket has never been greater.