Sri Lanka have stepped out of their home after nearly three months. In these three months, they have seen success unlike any other. It came regardless of formats, opposition, and venues. The most important of these victories for Sri Lanka has been their clean sweep over New Zealand in a two-match Test series against the Kiwis. The win cemented them at the number three spot in the World Test Championship table on a you-cant-sit-with-us bench with bullies like India and Australia. While it sounds out-and-out pessimistic, the true Test of Sri Lanka’s new-found brilliance across departments can only be taken, away from their sanctuary. For that, more than anything else, this tour needs to see the same Sri Lanka that has been simmering on low heat for the previous three months.
South Africa are too close yet too far from Sri Lanka on the WTC table. But like Sri Lanka, they are coming off three convincing red-ball victories. There is only one difference. South Africa have already put in the hard yards. All three of their recent victories came in away conditions. For them, the tour versus Sri Lanka will be a breath of fresh air, finally, at their own home. So, in a sense, it’s the Proteas homecoming stacked nicely against a stay-at-home Sri Lanka. Whoever outdoes the other, will have a clearer view of the Lord’s in sight.
Team Overview:
South African captain, Temba Bavuma, who returns back to the side after his injury lay-off, said that they will not get green mambas custom-made for the Test matches this time. But the final XI which the Proteas revealed just a few hours ago, paints a different picture. They have decided to go with no less than four pacers including Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder. This leaves only one spot for spin department and that will be occupied by Keshav Maharaj. Aiden Markaram has had a tough Bangladesh tour but with Bavuma back he can shift the focus entirely to his batting woes.
It will take a lot from Sri Lankan bowlers to trouble the Proteas batter on the sort of surface that the South African venues offer. But the visitors can rest in the comfort of knowing that their pacers have just had a reawakening and can be trusted to do the job just fine, though not better than their batters. One of the factors that have shot the Islanders right among the big guys during this Championship cycle, is their batters. The Mendis duo (sheer blasphemy to not mention each with particulars of their brilliance separately), Pathum Nissanka up top, and the skipper Dhananjaya de Silva remain the biggest naysayer of any theory that limits the team’s brilliance to home conditions.
Head-to-Head Matches:
South Africa have battled Sri Lanka in 31 long-format games. Out of these, the Proteas have come out at the top in 16, while Sri Lanka bested 9. The remaining six ended without any result. Sri Lanka have never lost a Test match at the Kingsmeade Stadium.
Weather and Pitch Report:
It’s going to be all shades of weather in Durban throughout this game. Sun, albeit not in abundance, will make its way in the early hours of the game, only to be replaced by grey clouds soon which will not shy from showering down upon the ground. Thursday and Friday can be expected to be dry but with overcast conditions. Finally, Saturday will bring the Sun back with it again. Expect the conditions to vary similarly too. There will be pace and bounce in the pitch, to help both batters and bowlers. With rain in the air, pacers can hope to run riot with the ball. Spinners will be handy once the surface becomes slower.
Where to Watch:
South Africa: Super Sport
Sri Lanka: Sirasa, Maharaja TV, TV1, Shakti TV
Pakistan: Tapmad, Tamasha, PTV Sports, Ten Sports
India: JioCinema App
UK: Sky Sports, Sky Go
Australia: Prime Video
US: Willow TV
