Published: Dec 16, 2016, 03:08 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 16, 2016, 03:12 PM (IST)
Johannesburg: Describing Sri Lanka as a quality side, South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis has said they will not underestimate their Asian opponents when the two sides face in the upcoming three-match Test series. The inexperienced 15-man squad, led by Angelo Mathews, consists of only three players having toured South Africa before. “There’s no big series or small series,” Du Plessis was quoted as saying by Sport24. “People expect us to beat Sri Lanka, but that’s definitely not the case.” The 32-year-old Proteas skipper further insisted that the Lankan Tigers have played really good cricket over the times and they’ve also lost some key players, which is something the Du Plessis-led side will look to cash in.
FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test at Port Elizabeth
“They are really a very quality cricket team and they got exceptional spin bowlers. So hopefully we can keep the ball from turning too much in the series,” said Du Plessis. South Africa clinched the last series played between the two sides with a scoreline of 2-1 in 2011/12.
AB de Villiers recently resigned as captain of the South Africa’s Test side and named du Plessis as the official captain. Under du Plessis captaincy South Africa have won the series against New Zealand, Test as well ODI series against Australia. Du Plessis hearing on ball-tampering will take place on December 19.
Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya Bandara, Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera.
South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Stephen Cook, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.(ANI)
