The Proteas and Sri Lanka face-off in a two-match Test series on Boxing Day and the New Year, with the spotlight on the Proteas’ new additions, writes Khalid Mohidin.
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There’s an air of uncertainty amongst fans. This is largely due to the inexperience in the Proteas’ 17-man squad which has only 286 caps between them.
The last time Sri Lanka played a two-match series in South Africa, they whitewashed the Proteas, winning their first-ever series in South Africa.
It was particularly a horrid time for the Proteas batters. The only consistency throughout the series coming from Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis.
De Kock scored 80, 55 in match one and 86 in the second game.
Du Plessis scored 90 in the first game, 50 not out in the second. The Proteas were humiliated on their own soil.
Fast forwarding to the last Test the Proteas played – against England – it was definitely one to forget for the home side.
Despite a 3-1 defeat, Quinton de Kock ended top scorer of the series, with 380 runs including four half-centuries and Anrich Nortje was the top wicket-taker with 18 wickets.
It was also a decent series for Van der Dussen who scored 274 runs with three half-centuries in his first series in the baggy whites.
Dean Elgar will continue his partnership with Aiden Markram as they look to give the Proteas the solidity they need at the top of the order. A partnership worth over 1100 runs.
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After Amla retired, the Proteas have been searching for a replacement at No 3. Zubayr Hamza was given a go against India, Pakistan and England, but was not selected as part of this squad. Keegan Petersen was called up to the initial squad for this series but has since been released due to Covid. The Proteas replaced him in the squad with Raynard van Tonder, but there remain questions around whether he will start.
The batting order will be largely determined by where De Kock will bat, and Boucher confirmed on Thursday that he will bat in the No 5 position. We know he will keep the gloves, so the questions remain around who the Proteas will pick at 7 and more importantly at 6. It’s safe to say that their desperation to win, might sway them towards familiarity – picking Bavuma over Kyle Verreynne.
The bowlers are significantly inexperienced, with 41 caps between them, 45 if you add all-rounders Dwaine Pretorius and Wiaan Mulder to the mix. Ultimately the question will be around who will lead the bowling attack. With Boucher confirming that Glenton Stuurman and Lungi Ngidi are carrying slight niggles and will be assessed after practice on Friday, the chances of debutant Migael Pretorius starting is becoming increasingly probable.
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If those injuries are serious, this will force the Proteas into playing both Wiaan Mulder and Dwaine Pretorius.
Sri Lanka hasn’t had the best recent form winning six of their last 20 Test matches with four of those victories coming against South Africa, in SA as previously mentioned and at home in Sri Lanka.
Mickey Arthur highlighted their pace attack as dangerous, with a lot of options to choose from – Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha. If the Centurian wicket is as seamer-friendly as expected, they will pose a serious threat.
However, Suranga Lakmal, who in 9 matches has 24 wickets against South Africa (more than any other nation), has been ruled out of the series, which is a big blow for the visitors.
Kusal Perera hit a match-winning 153 against South Africa the last time out and will pose a threat, while Dimuth Karunaratne (570 runs in 7 matches vs SA) is the highest scorer against the Proteas from the current squad.
Probable XI:
South Africa:
1. Aiden Markram
2. Dean Elgar
3. Rassie van der Dussen
4. Faf du Plessis
5. Quinton de Kock (c) (wk)
6. Temba Bavuma
7. Wiaan Mulder
8. Dwaine Pretorius/Lungi Ngidi
9. Migael Pretorius/Glenton Stuurman
10. Keshav Maharaj
11. Anrich Nortje
Sri Lanka:
1. Dimuth Karunaratne (c)
2. Kusal Perera
3. Kusal Mendis
4. Dinesh Chandimal
5. Dhananjaya de Silva
6. Dasun Shanaka
7. Niroshan Dickwella (wk)
8. Suranga Lakmal/Kasun Rajitha
9.Lasith Embuldeniya,
10. Vishwa Fernando
11. Lahiru Kumara
Saturday, 26-30 December 2020 at 10:00 SAST:
1st Betway Test match (WTC) South Africa v Sri Lanka, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday, 03-07 January 2021 at 10:00 SAST:
2nd Betway Test match (WTC) South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
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