South Africa VS Sri Lanka Test Series: 5 Key Talking Points

You would rarely see two teams coming into a series with more diametrically opposed forms than hosts South Africa and visitors Sri Lanka for the two-match contest that gets underway on February 13.

The Proteas pummelled Pakistan 3-0 in their last series while the Sri Lankans suffered a 2-0 whitewash against Australia. It is an understatement to state that the home side are the favourites.

If things weren’t bad enough for Sri Lankan cricket, they got even worse with their Test captain Dinesh Chandimal getting sacked as well as dumped from the Test team. This, on top of the injury to Angelo Mathews makes the Sri Lankan batting line-up wafer-thin.

The bowling line-up stands depleted also due to the absence of capable Lahiru Kumara and experienced Nuwan Pradeep who are suffering with injuries.

An already struggling team has been rendered even more vulnerable due to the desire of the selectors to act angrily. Chandimal’s axing might seem deserved due to his feeble returns in recent times but his experience and ability would have been invaluable in hostile South African conditions.

So, with the result of the series easy to predict, let us explore those aspects of these upcoming Tests which will hold interest for the spectators.

Competition Among SA Pacers

Bowlers like Steyn and Rabada would be in a contest among themselves to pick up the most wickets

In the series against Pakistan, it was Duanne Olivier who emerged as the leading South African bowler in terms of wickets. Now, with another Asian batting line-up full of inexperience in front of them, the South African seamers will be grappling amongst themselves to top the wicket-taking chart.

Rabada would be keen to keep his incredible record intact while Steyn, who looks fully fit, could prove his superiority over his junior teammates. Olivier would be licking his lips at the prospect of bouncing out the visiting batsmen in the same manner as he did in the Pakistan series.

Then comes Philander who is going to keep probing with correct lines and lengths and, as always, remain a big threat. These four form the quartet that is likely to be churned out for tormenting the Lankans.

What would be interesting to see is whether Keshav Maharaj gets a chance to play in the series. He had a rich haul of wickets including a 9 wicket haul against the same opposition last year in spin-friendly conditions. At the moment, it is unlikely.

Lusting For Revenge

After being beaten comprehensively by Sri Lanka last year, Proteas want to return the favour

When the South Africans were handed a 3-0 drubbing on their tour to India, there was a feeling among them of having been treated unfairly. The pitches in that series were heavily doctored to suit the home team and as, expected, the Indian spinners ran riot.

While the Proteas stayed away from direct criticism, there was clearly simmering discontent beneath the surface that translated into a desire to seek revenge during India’s tour to South Africa. The pitches were expectedly green during India’s tour and the South Africans handed the visitors a 2-1 defeat.

Last year, the Proteas had a similar experience in Sri Lanka where, on dry pitches, they were thrashed 2-0 by the hosts. In the first Test, Karunaratne alone outscored the South Africans. This time, Faf du Plessis couldn’t resist expressing his displeasure with the tracks used for the Tests.

So, once again, the African side seeks revenge from an Asian team and that too, one which seems to be on the rocks at the moment. It would be interesting to see how the home side goes about accomplishing this task.

Will they prepare green-tops and unleash a four-pronged pace attack to dismantle the Sri Lankan batting line up? Or will they, looking at the weakness of their opponents, try to beat them in normal conditions with regular tactics? This is something that will be interesting to observe.

Progress of the Sri Lankan Batting

Kusal Mendis would be expected to score big in the absence of Chandimal and Mathews

With both their senior pros in the batting line-up – Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal – out of the series, the youngsters in the team will have to carry the main load of batting for Sri Lanka.

Dimuth Karunaratne, who has been in good form over the last year, will lead the way, in more ways than one. As the captain, he has to set an example; as an opener, he has to face the brunt of South Africa’s powerful pace attack.

Equally important would be Kusal Mendis – arguably the most talented batsman in the team. After getting dropped in 2017, he has been able to make a successful comeback into the team and produce great performances. The stage is set for him to establish himself as a leading batsman in the world.

Vice-captain Niroshan Dickwella has consistently played impressive innings down the order. It would be interesting to see whether he changes his free-flowing approach on assuming a bigger responsibility.

Opener Kaushal Silva is back in the team. His earlier stints haven’t been good enough to make him a regular in the side. Focus would be on Dhananjaya de Silva also who has shown talent without producing consistent performances.

The likes of Kusal Perera and Lahiru Thirimanna will look to cement their places as well. The latter seems to have more capability of making it big at the Test level as he has played some knocks of substance in the past.

Angelo Perera, who recently hit the headlines after smashing a double hundred in each innings of a first-class game, could be the exciting talent to watch out for.

Young talent in the South African Batting line-up

Zubayr Hamza showed great potential in the last series and would be keenly watched

Most things are in place for the South African Test side. They have a great bowling line-up, a good spinner and some wonderful batsmen. But there is scope for improvement in batting. That’s why the Proteas would also hope for big runs from two wonderful young batsmen in their ranks – Theunis de Bruyn and Zubayr Hamza.

De Bruyn has good memories of playing against Sri Lanka. While his teammates were getting bundled out easily last year on Sri Lankan pitches, he managed to score a brilliant hundred. Anyone who saw that innings would have appreciated the massive potential of the player.

Hamza made his debut in the last series and looked the part at the Test level. Now he needs to get a hundred under his belt and secure his place for the near future.

With bigger challenges awaiting the South Africans in the near future, big scores from these two are essential to make them fully comfortable at this level and prepare them for the future. If they get going, it would be a treat for cricket fans as their stroke-play is delightful to watch.

Opportunity For Amla & Bavuma

Hashim Amla hasn't scored a Test hundred since October 2017

Among the established names, Hashim Amla needs a hundred soon. Once the most prolific batsman at the international level, his output has diminished in recent times. While he still manages to get fifties, a hundred from his bat hasn’t been seen since October 2017 – that too was against Bangladesh at home.

Whether Amla is on an interminable decline or could reach new heights of success in the second half of his thirties, like players such as Misbah-ul-Haq, is a question many fans have. A big hundred here would silence the doubters for some time, at least.

At the other end of his career but having a similar problem is Temba Bavuma. His famous century against England in January 2016 remains his only ton. He too has played important innings for his side regularly – including a 95* against Australia – but another hundred is keenly awaited.

These two batsmen have a golden opportunity to fill their boots against a depleted Sri Lankan attack. Apart from Suranga Lakmal, who could be dangerous in helpful conditions, and chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan, they don’t have much threat. A better opportunity is unlikely.