Published: Dec 25, 2016, 12:05 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 27, 2016, 03:02 PM (IST)
Sri Lanka embark on their journey of two-month-long tour to South Africa that includes three-Tests, five-One-Day-Internationals (ODIs) s and two-Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Sri Lanka had a gentle start to the tour after ending the three-day practice match with a useful draw. If we go back to the history between these two teams in Tests, South Africa have won 8 out of 10 matches they have played on their home soil. However, Sri Lanka have better numbers to save them from the Test scars. South Africa have won 15 times in ODIs at their home ground.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have won seven times and have played just a single draw that stuttered South Africa’s progress in World Cup in 2003. At present, South Africa are coping with AB de Villiers stepping down from captaincy. South Africa have pretty much retained most of the players whom they carried along for the Australia tour. However, with injuries to Morne Morkel, Rilee Rossouw and Dale Steyn, South Africa have introduced uncapped Theunis de Bruyn as a reserve batsman. After a not-so-great performance on the Australian tour, there is no room for left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi as well. So that leaves Keshav Maharaj as the only specialist spinner.
Full Cricket Scorecard, South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test at Port Elizabeth
With South Africa pretty much moving ahead with the same squad that played against Australia, here is the XI that du Plessis might play in the first Test at Port Elizabeth:
Top-order: Stephen Cook, who scored a composed century in the Adelaide Test after poor run on the entire tour, has been retained to open along with his partner Dean Elgar. The latter provided a thumping start to the Australia tour with his century at WACA. However, Elgar was unable to capitalise on the tone he had set in the first Test. Elgar also got to his maiden Test century at this very venue. On the other hand, Cook had a century to his name when he made his debut in Test against England earlier this year at home.
South Africa’s No. 3 batsman Hashim Amla’s current Test form has been worrisome. With Amla’s scores reading 0, 1, 47, 5 and 45 on the Australia tour, coach Neil McKenzie is hopeful of the out-of-form player to turn things around. Amla’s run in Port Elizabeth is not very fascinating and this is the only opportunity for a reputed batsman like Amla to banish some old memories against the Sri Lankans.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Preview and predictions
Middle-order: The new No. 4 batsman JP Duminy had a very topsy-turvy Test series against New Zealand and Australia. Apart from his occasional knocks that included a fifty against the Kiwis and century against Australia at WACA, Duminy has been unable to provide the assistance the top-order batsmen require. In hindsight, brushing aside the ‘Mintgate’ comments, du Plessis is set to begin a new chapter against Sri Lanka. Du Plessis laid the foundation with this century on his favourite ground, Adelaide Oval. His recent century against New Zealand at home also speaks volume of the ability this classy batsman possesses. Interestingly, duPlessis also holds two centuries at this venue.
Making his debut at Port Elizabeth, Temba Bavuma was the only consistent batsman during the Australian tour. Although Bavuma did not have the perfect beginning to his Test career with just 10 runs, he announced himself at Cape Town with his maiden century and by becoming the first black African batsman to get this feat. Bavuma, whose game is built of finesse, will look to continue his consistency against Sri Lanka at No. 6. At No. 7 will be Quinton de Kock. 13 Tests and 853 runs with strike rate of 71.20 speak volumes of de Kock. It was his century that helped South Africa win the second Test at Hobart with ease. Also his performance against New Zealand that consisted of two fifties as well as an unbeaten century against England cannot be erased off.
Bowling in partnerships key – Kyle Abbott
Lower Order and bowling: Vernon Philander is a powerful all-rounder and can get those handy fifties when required. Apart from the lofty shots that he can play, Philander hails from a place that produces excellent bowlers. He was also named Man-of-the-Series for grabbing 12 wickets in the Australia series. South Africa requires more such all-rounders against Sri Lankans, who also possess excellent all-rounders in their ranks. South Africa’s new-found emerging specialist spinner and batsman, Maharaj showed that he can spin the opponent in any given condition. Maharaj, who debuted at WACA in an unusual venue for a spinner, proved his critics wrong. He not only scored 41 runs but also bagged 4 wickets. Maharaj will be a promising player to watch out for.
It all zeroes down to these special pacers from South Africa. After an impressive performance and filling the shoes of Steyn successfully in the final Two tests against Australia, one can expect Kyle Abbott to take the stage at Port Elizabeth. He picked 13 wickets in just two Tests at an average of 14.84. However, Abbott mentioned in his recent interview with ESPNcricinfo.com “Nothing can be taken for granted just yet.” Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada, a ‘champion bowler’ as du Plessis puts it through, bagged 12 wickets against Australia on the tour. Dominating the CSA awards this year with a total of six titles, Rabada will look to lead the pace attack against Sri Lanka from the first Test.
South Africa Likely XI: Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott.
