South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test: Proteas’ likely XI

After a comprehensive victory in the series opener, Faf du Plessis and his boys from South Africa will be confident to take on Sri Lanka in the second match of the ongoing series. No Asian team has won at Cape Town and with a win already in their kitty, South Africa will eye the series at the picturesque venue. This fixture is a must win for the visitors. South Africa dominated the first Test with all-round performance and eventually went on to win the match by a margin of 206 runs. There is no reason why they will change their XI.

South Africa are surely missing two of their most experienced players. The ones from the fringes have ably filled up the large boots of AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn, the two stalwarts, who are still nursing their injury. Having played for a considerable amount of time now, Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar have formed a good understanding which has made the top stronger. The middle-order has also answered the Sri Lanka bowlers with bulk of runs which reflects the balance in the batting line-up. South Africa in their last game had put up a par 286 in the first innings but the bowlers came to rescue, bundling out Sri Lanka for 205. The batsmen made no mistake in the second innings as Cook’s 117 along with contributions from Elgar, Hashim Amla, du Plessis and Quinton de Kock took the score to 406, handing them a 487-run lead.

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Full Cricket Scorecard: South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test at Cape Town

Sri Lanka replied with 281 and handed the hosts a 206-run victory. While it was the pacers who were effective in the first innings for South Africa, their spinner in Keshav Maharaj utilised whatever was there on offer to help the team end Sri Lanka’s innings. Ahead of the Cape Town clash, here is South Africa’s likely XI.

Top-order: As mentioned earlier, the Elgar-Cook pair is in a good sync and has been providing the team positive start consistently. The two will open the innings while the onus of carrying forward the momentum lies upon an experienced Amla, who is also the side’s best batsman. All the three batsmen have been in runs and with these three composed men at the top-order, South Africa are expected to get a good push of runs.

Middle-order: JP Duminy comes out to bat at No. 4. Duminy has been among the silent contributors for the team. His intelligent style of playing and the ability to bat according to situations makes him the crucial element of the team.

Duminy has responded well to the batting promotion. He is a dependable name. Skipper du Plessis comes out at No. 5 and will be expected to lead by example. South Africa have a long batting with Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock ro follow. South Africa’s biggest advantage is their tail, which adds crucial runs. Keshav Maharaj and Vernon Philander both have showed what they can do with the bat and will be expected to emulate their previous performances if need be.

Bowlers: The combination of Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott has been very effective for the team and they are expected to persist with it. Philander probing line and length has paid off well and in absence of Steyn, he has led the attack very well. Abbott’s contributions were essential behind the team’s victory in the first Test while Rabada keeps improving every game. Keshav Maharaj is the only specialist spinner in the team but Duminy can as well step in and bowl a few overs if there be demand.

South Africa likely XI: Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Kyle Abbott, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada.