Former South African left-arm spinner Robin Peterson said not a lot should be read into South Africa's ODI series loss against England but the conditions in England could favour Sri Lanka.
The Islanders are South Africa's first opponents at the Oval on Saturday and the benign pitch conditions could aid their technically deficient but dangerous stroke makers.
Except for Monday's aberration at Lord's where a green-tinged surface and grey skies saw England's power packed batting fold against the cunning swing of Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell‚ England's pitches have been packed with runs.
“South Africa now know what they need to do to go far in this tournament‚" Petersen said.
"I didn't read too much into the series.
"They were trying some combinations which were suited to English conditions and in the last game‚ you could see how the selections were making sense where they picked five bowlers and I think that's the way to go‚” Peterson said.
“The wickets in England are flat and that's what Sri Lanka are accustomed to.
"They're not as bouncy as the stuff they dealt with here in South Africa.
"They will be very competitive but I think South Africa have a lot of class to get past Sri Lanka but it's not going to be very easy.”
While the tournament itself could be dictated by the motions and the moods of the clouds‚ the three sub-continent teams in the pool will be a tough test.
Pakistan have their batting problems that seem to disappear in big tournaments while India have the added pressure of defending their hard-earned 2013 title with their aggressive and in-your-face captain Virat Kohli.
Peterson said the Asian teams will be dangerous if the conditions allow them but with three matches needed to get into the semi-finals‚ the group stage has to be treated like a three-match ODI series where the India game is the must-win of the lot.
“It's a high pressure tournament and every win is important.
"But if South Africa entertain thoughts of getting into the semi-finals‚ they have to beat India in the pool. Another win in one of the pool games should be enough to see them through‚” Peterson said.
- TMG Digital/TMG Sport
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