South Africa and Sri Lanka will end a long Covid-inspired break from test cricket, when the first of two world test matches kicks off at SuperSport Stadium in Centurion on Saturday. Neither side has played a red ball international since January, when South Africa lost 3-1 in a home series against England with Sri Lanka winning a two-game series 1-0 in Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka can call on most of the players who surprised the Proteas by winning both tests on their previous tour of South Africa two seasons ago. On paper, South Africa are weaker than they were in the previous series with their fast bowling attack Dale Daleyn, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Duanne Olivier missing through retirement, injury or, in Olivier’s case, a British lure punnd.
The Sri Lanka series also marked the end of Hashim Amla’s illustrious career.
Manpower has changed, with Faf du Plessis retired, although still a player.
Wicket keeper Quinton de Kock, South Africa’s top test fighter last season, has accepted what is coming to the role of caretaker for the 2020/21 season only.
De Kock’s role is an echo of Dimuth Karunaratne, a Sri Lankan opening bat, who was named captain of the “stand-in” captain for the 2018/19 tour but did such a good job of building a positive outlook in his players. that he had remained at the helm.
The circumstances will, however, be quite different, with the games being played on the fast, kicking fields at Centurion and Johannesburg replacing the slowest coastlines in Durban and Port Elizabeth where Sri Lanka was last year.
Despite a completely different fast bowling attack, South African archers face a daunting challenge to the visiting bats.
Anrich Nortje is one of the fastest archers in the world, and Lungi Ngidi has returned to form after a series of injuries.
Glenton Stuurman was able to earn the first captain as a man-like place for the well-rounded Philander.
The key for Sri Lanka is the expected return from Kusal Perera.
The left-back played on innings explaining a career when he made 153 not out in the first Test in Durban on the previous round, turning what seemed like a normal win in South Africa to be an exciting one-wicket win for the tourists, sealed with a last non-stop stand of 78 by Vishwa Fernando.
Prior to that, Perera had a test batting average below 30. He was unable to maintain his Durban form, and was relegated after a weak series against New Zealand later in 2019.
Potential teams:
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (captain, wkt), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma, Dwaine Pretorius and Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Lungi Ngidi.
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wkt), Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya, as well as two from Vishwa Fernando, Lahmeraum Kum
Umpires: Marais Erasmus, Adrian Holdstock (both RSA)
Inspired
Umpire TV: Allahudien Paleker (RSA)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
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