South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2016/17, 2nd Test - 5 Talking Points

Kyle Abbott and Dale Steyn
Abbott’s place might have been in danger once Steyn returned from injury

The Proteas ushered in 2017 by continuing their impressive form in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Newlands. Being the dominant team right from the outset, they never allowed the visitors to have a sniff and notched up another clinical victory to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Despite losing the toss on a moisture-laden surface, the hosts managed to compile a formidable first-innings total. On the back of an imposing pace attack, they brought the Lankan batsmen to their knees to round-off a complete performance. Within South Africa’s triumph as well as outside of it, quite a few topics came up for debate.

Let us take a look at those five major talking points from the second Test in Cape Town.


#5 Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock brighten Protea fire

Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock
Elgar‘s resoluteness and de Kock’s bustle shaped South Africa’s innings

The Test began in a rather tricky fashion for the home side. A spicy pitch coupled with the prospect of a lost toss handed a massive advantage for Sri Lanka. Stephen Cook fell off the fourth delivery of the game while a couple more perished before South Africa could lay a solid platform. However, Dean Elgar revelled in the uncertainty to produce a gritty century and take his team to safety.

Even as the opener was bringing the curtains down on his knock, Quinton de Kock aggravated the bowlers’ agony by launching a remarkable attack. When he fell for a 124-ball 101, the Proteas had already reached a position of comfort.

#4 Atypical Sri Lanka lack will of yore

Sri Lankan Team
Suranga Lakmal offered something to cheer about for the visitors

Among the quirks associated with Sri Lankan cricket is their ability to fight despite seemingly long odds. For a small island which does not have dense population at their disposal, unlike other Asian teams, their plucky nature and the willingness to be up for a scrap are often seen with admiration across the cricketing fraternity.

However, the current lot do not seem to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors. Aside from the occasional spurts of flair, they have largely fallen when confronted by rampant opposition outside of their comfort zone. In particular, the batting lineup showed no fight whatsoever and appeared to be consigned to their fate at every possible hardship.

#3 Kagiso Rabada takes up the responsibility

Kagiso Rabada
Rabada is rapidly establishing himself as the face of South Africa’s bowling attack

That the Lankan batting folded cheaply across both innings should also shed light on a South African bowling unit which is shaping up to be a menacing one. Apart from Vernon Philander’s nagging consistency and impeccable utilisation of seam, the blossoming of Kagiso Rabada has made matters worse for opposition batsmen.

One glance at the scorecard would suggest the threat presented by the 21-year old fast bowler. By accounting for four of Sri Lanka’s top-six in the first-innings quite cheaply, he sent out a strong statement. Five of his six scalps in the second innings were of the top-seven. Deservedly, Rabada took home the Player of the Match award.

#2 Should Mathews be removed from captaincy?

Angelo Mathews
Mathews has been regularly making baffling bowling changes

Angelo Mathews took over Sri Lanka’s Test captaincy from one of the nation’s shrewdest cricketing brains in Mahela Jayawardene. With the man himself still in the team alongside another decorated former skipper in Kumar Sangakkara, the right-hander received adequate advice on the intricacies of leadership. A drawn series in the UAE (the botched up Sharjah Test notwithstanding) was followed by series victories in England and against Pakistan at home.

Once the veterans rode off into the sunset, Mathews was tasked with the unenviable combination of inexperience and fragility. Apart from the home 3-0 whitewash of an Australian team completely out of depth against the turning ball, the recent phase of his captaincy has been riddled with numerous defeats.

With the all rounder’s baffling bowling changes and inexplicable field settings extending to this game as well, Sri Lanka may have to consider replacing him with the more vibrant Dinesh Chandimal.

#1 Impending departures take the sheen off South Africa‘s reconstruction

Kyle Abbott
Abbott's departure could have a huge impact on the white community in South Africa

The biggest talking point surrounding the Test actually came off the field. Following the conclusion of this match, it was revealed that seamer Kyle Abbott has signed a Kolpak deal with English County, Hampshire, and will no longer represent South Africa at the international level. Citing the limited opportunities to white players as a result of the controversial quota system, the 29-year old joined the long list of departing players.

As things stand, the Proteas need to field at least 60 percent of coloured cricketers in the team with a portion of those from the black African community. With the iconic Dale Steyn targeting the England tour in June as his comeback venture, Abbott’s immediate future could be in considerable jeopardy even as the clamour for white spots engulf the batting lineup too.

While South Africa may appear to possess a problem of plenty at the moment, such high-profile departures should have a massive impact on the coming generations.

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Edited by Staff Editor