Big picture

There is hardly a conversation around Colombo these days that doesn't involve the weather, and in the context of this World Cup, the rains have certainly played no small part in shaping the trajectories of a few of the sides.

Pakistan notably suffered the most cruel fate, as a historic win over England was snatched away from them on Wednesday evening following a washout. Sri Lanka, however, have been on both sides of the coin. Against New Zealand, a spirited late charge led by Nilakshika Silva left them buoyant at the break only for rain to spoil a potential victory charge, but against Australia those same rains ensured a point in what would have been Sri Lanka's toughest match this tournament.

It's meant that having faced arguably the four most challenging opponents at this tournament - India, Australia, England and New Zealand - in their first four matches, Sri Lanka have come away with two points despite having yet to register a win. It also means that with their remaining matches against sides they would have been more confident at taking on, Sri Lanka will know that a win on Friday will put them in with a very real chance of making an unlikely late semi-final dash.

South Africa have looked every bit the dark horses they have been touted as. Following a chastening opening game defeat to England, they've won three on the bounce, most notably taking down India. And a win in Colombo will take them to eight points on the table, and see them have one foot in the semi-finals with two further games to play.

But while the head-to-head record between South Africa and Sri Lanka in WODIs seems fairly one-sided - 16 wins and six defeats in favour of South Africa - their more recent record speaks towards a far more evenly matched contest with their past five matches since the start of 2024, seeing shared spoils at two wins apiece.

Two of those games came at the R. Premadasa earlier this year, with each side winning one, so while this will be South Africa's first game in Colombo at this World Cup, separating these two units might very well come down to the toss of a coin - or indeed the weather gods.

Form guide

Sri Lanka LLLLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)

South Africa WWLLW

In the spotlight

In six WODIs batting first at the Khettarama, Sri Lanka has crossed the 200 mark just twice - once in 1999 and once on Tuesday against New Zealand. Tuesday was also the first time they posted a first-innings total above 250 at the venue, a feat that would not have been possible if not for Nilakshika Silva's blazing 55 off 28. Silva's late career renaissance has seen her average 44.50 with a strike rate of 84.89 since the start of 2024, all while mostly batting at number six. Her 534 runs also makes her Sri Lanka's third-most prolific batter behind Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama, during this period.

Laura Wolvaardt has grown into this tournament. After poor showings against England and New Zealand, she played a pivotal role in their defeat of India before again providing a stable start in a chase against Bangladesh. This might not be particularly pleasing news to those of Sri Lankan persuasion, as Wolvaardt has long been a problematic opponent. In 10 WODIs against Sri Lanka, Wolvaardt has 546 runs at a staggering average of 91 and strike rate of 80.88. What's more she's been dismissed just six times over that period - a feat made more impressive as she opens the batting.

Team news

Sri Lanka changed up their bowling lineup in the previous game, but were unable to test it. With their batting finally clicking, it's likely they name an unchanged XI.

Sri Lanka (probable): Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshita Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Piumi Wathsala, Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera

There is something to be said for not changing a winning combination. So there might be not much by way of experimentation this game.

South Africa (probable): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Anneke Bosch, 4 Annerie Dercksen, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Sinalo Jafta, 7 Chloe Tryon, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Masabata Klass, 10 Nonkululeko Mlaba, 11 Tumi Sekhukhune

Pitch and conditions

Rain has been a regular Colombo patron as of late and Friday's forecast shows that will likely continue to be the case, with showers expected during the afternoon and headed into the evening. The pitch conditions are expected to see batting getting trickier as the game goes on, with something in it for the seamers early before spin takes over.

Stats and trivia

• Nilakshika Silva averages 46.25 against South Africa in seven innings, well above her career average of 29.27.

• Chamari Athapaththu is 12 runs away from 4000 WODI runs, and four wickets away from 50 WODI wickets.

• Wolvaardt's 546 runs against Sri Lanka is the third-most against them by an active batter in WODIs, behind Suzie Bates (551) and Smriti Mandhana (622).

  Quotes

  "We're not thinking too far ahead, just taking it one game at at a time. The main focus is on taking the momentum from the last game into this one, and I think if we do that we can do well." - Nilakshika Silva on Sri Lanka's chances in their final three games."

  "As a team we know the players, especially as a bowler. Where to bowl, where their strengths and weaknesses are. So we're going in very positive." - Nonkululeko Mlaba on how South Africa's tri-series in Sri Lanka earlier this year would help them.