Sri Lanka have won the toss and will bat first in the quarter-final against South Africa in Sydney.

So much was made about this particular toss, given the history of matches at the SCG and the Proteas’ record batting second. When Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews won the toss and opted to bat, his opposite number, AB de Villiers, admitted afterwards that he would have done the same.

While it looks to be a good batting track, there will be something in it for the bowlers. The Proteas have made two changes, with quick bowler Kyle Abbott preferred to Vernon Philander and Faf du Plessis returning from injury. Farhaan Behardien misses out as a result.

In Sri Lanka team news, key spinner Rangana Herath has failed a fitness test. The uncapped Tharinda Kaushal has been drafted into the side, and the Sri Lankans are hoping that this unknown quantity will cause the Proteas batsmen problems.

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers (c), David Miller, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott, Morné Morkel, Imran Tahir

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirmanne, Angelo Mathews (c), Thisara Perara, Tharindu Kaushal, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera