Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is the first player to score four consecutive centuries in ODI's [Getty]

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Sri Lanka will take on South Africa in the first quarter final of the 2015 ICC World Cup at Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Where to watch live

The match starts at 3:30am GMT. Live coverage is on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD. Click here for live streaming link.

Overview

Sri Lanka have made it to the quarter finals after finishing third in Group A with four wins from six matches. They suffered defeats at the hands of co-hosts New Zealand and Australia. The 1996 world champions have scored eight centuries in the tournament so far.

Kumar Sangakkara has been the star player, along with Tillakaratne Dilshan. The wicket-keeping batsman has scored four consecutive centuries and he will be looking to extend his record on Wednesday.

The Lankans have already lost two of their key players Dinesh Chandimal and Jeevan Mendis due to injuries. The duo are out of the World Cup and they recently had injury scares regarding skipper Angelo Mathews and Rangana Herath.

Mathews is expected to be fit for the clash against South Africa. Herath had the stitches on his finger removed on Friday, but he has not trained with the team over the weekend. Sri Lanka will have to take a huge decision on whether to include him in the playing XI or not.

However, Herath is doubtful for the clash and his replacement Tharindu Kaushal has already started training with the team.

AB de Villiers
South African skipper AB de Villiers celebrates his century against the West Indies [Getty]

Meanwhile, South Africa come into the quarter final having lost two matches during the group stage and finished with eight points from six matches just like their quarter final opponents. However, AB de Villiers' side finishes second in Group B, which has seen them end up facing the third placed team from Group B.

The Proteas have a massive concern with Quinton de Kock's form, who has struggled throughout this World Cup. However, coach Russell Domingo has hinted the wicket-keeping batsman will retain his spot in the team and has backed him to fire against Sri Lanka.

The African nation are likely to go with four bowlers with JP Duminy playing the role of an all rounder and a fifth bowler.

Prediction

Sri Lanka to win

Betting Odds (888Sport.com)

  • Sri Lanka to win: 24/13
  • South Africa to win: 3/7

What they say

Russell Domingo (South Africa coach): "I am not a sports psychologist but I don't know how a player can be perceived to be mentally shot. It's a little bit nasty. We just sort of have this gut feel that Quinton [De Kock] has got a big score around the corner."

Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka chief selector): "The stitches have been taken off and Herath will be ready for the match. That's what I'm thinking, it will depend on today and tomorrow, probably tomorrow."

Team news

Sri Lanka

Possible XI: Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (WK), Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews (C), Thisara Perera, Dushmantha Chameera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Tharindu Kaushal, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga.

South Africa

Possible XI: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (WK), Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers (C), David Miller, JP Duminy, Kyle Abbott, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.

South Africa